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4 Inheritance in Java

Inheritance in Java allows one object to acquire properties and behaviors from a parent object, promoting code reusability and method overriding. The document explains the syntax, types of inheritance (single, multilevel, hierarchical), and the reason why multiple inheritance is not supported in Java. An example illustrates how a subclass can access fields from its superclass, demonstrating the IS-A relationship.

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4 views4 pages

4 Inheritance in Java

Inheritance in Java allows one object to acquire properties and behaviors from a parent object, promoting code reusability and method overriding. The document explains the syntax, types of inheritance (single, multilevel, hierarchical), and the reason why multiple inheritance is not supported in Java. An example illustrates how a subclass can access fields from its superclass, demonstrating the IS-A relationship.

Uploaded by

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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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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8/14/2015 Inheritance in Java ­ Javatpoint

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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8/14/2015 Inheritance in Java ­ Javatpoint

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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