Inheritance in Python

Study Notes

Inheritance in Python

Inheritance allows new classes to extend existing classes, enabling new classes to inherit members from the class they extend.
The "is a" relationship denotes that one object is a specialized version of another, highlighting a hierarchy in object-oriented programming.
Examples include "poodle is a dog" and "car is a vehicle," showcasing the connection between a general class and its specialized subclasses.

Class Structure

Inheritance consists of two classes: the superclass (general class) and the subclass (specialized class).
The superclass is also known as a base class while the subclass is often referred to as a derived class.

Attributes and Methods

Subclasses inherit attributes and methods from their superclasses without needing to rewrite them.
New attributes and methods can be added to a subclass, enhancing its specialization compared to the superclass.
The __init__ method initializes data attributes using provided values.

Data Hiding and Methods

Data attributes can be made hidden by prefixing their names with two underscores.
A mutator (or setter) is a method that modifies a value of an attribute, while an accessor (or getter) retrieves the value without changing it.

Defining Classes

Class definitions, such as class Car(Automobile):, indicate that Car is a subclass inheriting from the Automobile superclass.
The self parameter is mandatory in class methods and refers to the instance of the class.

UML and Relationships

In UML diagrams, inheritance is represented by a line with an open arrowhead pointing from the subclass to the superclass, visually demonstrating the relationship.

Polymorphism and Instance Checking

Polymorphism allows multiple subclasses to implement methods with the same name as in their superclasses, enabling dynamic method resolution based on the object's type.
The built-in function isinstance determines if an object is an instance of a specified class or its subclasses, providing type-checking functionality.
The general format for using isinstance is isinstance(object, ClassName).

Description

Explore the concept of inheritance in Python programming, focusing on how subclasses extend superclasses. Learn about the 'is a' relationship and the significance of attributes and methods in object-oriented programming. This quiz will help you grasp the structure and functionality of inheritance in Python.