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OOPJ Unit3

This document discusses inheritance in object-oriented programming using Java. It defines key terms like class, subclass, superclass and reusability. It provides examples of single inheritance where a subclass inherits from one superclass, multilevel inheritance where a subclass inherits from another subclass, and hierarchical inheritance where multiple subclasses inherit from one superclass. It also explains that while Java supports single, multilevel, and hierarchical inheritance through classes, it does not support multiple inheritance to avoid complexity and ambiguity at compile-time and runtime.

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44 views13 pages

OOPJ Unit3

This document discusses inheritance in object-oriented programming using Java. It defines key terms like class, subclass, superclass and reusability. It provides examples of single inheritance where a subclass inherits from one superclass, multilevel inheritance where a subclass inherits from another subclass, and hierarchical inheritance where multiple subclasses inherit from one superclass. It also explains that while Java supports single, multilevel, and hierarchical inheritance through classes, it does not support multiple inheritance to avoid complexity and ambiguity at compile-time and runtime.

Uploaded by

CHAUHAN PARTH
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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OOPJ -UNIT 3

Inheritance

Terms used in Inheritance


o Class: A class is a group of objects which have common properties. It
is a template or blueprint from which objects are created.
o Sub Class/Child Class: Subclass is a class which inherits the other
class. It is also called a derived class, extended class, or child class.
o Super Class/Parent Class: Superclass is the class from where a
subclass inherits the features. It is also called a base class or a parent
class.
o Reusability: As the name specifies, reusability is a mechanism which
facilitates you to reuse the fields and methods of the existing class
when you create a new class. You can use the same fields and
methods already defined in the previous class.
The syntax of Java Inheritance

 The extends keyword indicates that you are making a new class that
derives from an existing class. The meaning of "extends" is to increase
the functionality.

 In the above example, the Dog class is created by inheriting the


methods and fields from the Animal class.
 Here, Dog is the subclass and Animal is the superclass.
 Types of inheritance in java

 On the basis of class, there can be three types of inheritance


in java: single, multilevel and hierarchical.
 In java programming, multiple and hybrid inheritance is
supported through interface only. We will learn about
interfaces later.
1 Single Inheritance Example
When a class inherits another class, it is known as a single
inheritance. In the example given below, Dog class
inherits the Animal class, so there is the single
inheritance.
2 Multilevel Inheritance Example
When there is a chain of inheritance, it is known
as multilevel inheritance. As you can see in the example
given below, BabyDog class inherits the Dog class which
again inherits the Animal class, so there is a multilevel
inheritance.
File: TestInheritance2.java
3 Hierarchical Inheritance Example
 When two or more classes inherits a single class, it is
known as hierarchical inheritance. In the example given
below, Dog and Cat classes inherits the Animal class, so
there is hierarchical inheritance.
File: TestInheritance3.java
Q) Why multiple inheritance is not supported in
java?

 To reduce the complexity and simplify the language,


multiple inheritance is not supported in java.
 Consider a scenario where A, B, and C are three
classes. The C class inherits A and B classes. If A
and B classes have the same method and you call it
from child class object, there will be ambiguity to
call the method of A or B class.
 Since compile-time errors are better than runtime
errors, Java renders compile-time error if you inherit
2 classes. So whether you have same method or
different, there will be compile time error.

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