8/14/2015 Inheritance in Java Javatpoint
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Inheritance in Java
Inheritance in java is a mechanism in which one object acquires all
the properties and behaviors of parent object.
The idea behind inheritance in java is that you can create new
classes that are built upon existing classes. When you inherit from an
existing class, you can reuse methods and fields of parent class, and
you can add new methods and fields also.
Inheritance represents the ISA relationship, also known as parent
child relationship.
Why use inheritance in java
For Method Overriding (so runtime polymorphism can be
achieved).
For Code Reusability.
Syntax of Java Inheritance
. class Subclassname extends Superclassname
. {
. //methods and fields
. }
The extends keyword indicates that you are making a new class
that derives from an existing class.
In the terminology of Java, a class that is inherited is called a super
class. The new class is called a subclass.
Understanding the simple example of
inheritance
inheritance in java
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As displayed in the above figure, Programmer is the subclass and
Employee is the superclass. Relationship between two classes is
Programmer ISA Employee.It means that Programmer is a type of
Employee.
. class Employee{
. float salary=40000;
. }
. class Programmer extends Employee{
. int bonus=10000;
. public static void main(String args[]){
. Programmer p=new Programmer();
. System.out.println("Programmer salary is:"+p.salary);
. System.out.println("Bonus of Programmer is:"+p.bonus);
. }
. }
Test it Now
Programmer salary is:40000.0
Bonus of programmer is:10000
In the above example, Programmer object can access the field of
own class as well as of Employee class i.e. code reusability.
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.
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Note: Multiple inheritance is not supported in java through
class.
When a class extends multiple classes i.e. known as multiple
inheritance. For Example:
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 same method and
you call it from child class object, there will be ambiguity to call
method of A or B class.
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8/14/2015 Inheritance in Java Javatpoint
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
now.
. class A{
. void msg(){System.out.println("Hello");}
. }
. class B{
. void msg(){System.out.println("Welcome");}
. }
. class C extends A,B{//suppose if it were
.
. Public Static void main(String args[]){
. C obj=new C();
. obj.msg();//Now which msg() method would be invoked?
. }
. }
Test it Now
Compile Time Error
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