python class inheritance

Python offers a robust paradigm of object-oriented programming, allowing classes to inherit functionality from other classes. This enables objects that are created using a class inheriting from a superclass to have access to methods and variables of both the superclass and the derived class. Unlike some other languages, Python even supports multiple inheritance, expanding its utility.

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Understanding Basic Inheritance

Consider a foundational class named User:

class User:
    name = ""
    
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
    
    def printName(self):
        print("Name  = " + self.name)
    
brian = User("brian")
brian.printName()

Here, we’ve crafted an instance named brian that simply displays the name provided to it. Building on this, let’s design another class, Programmer.

class Programmer(User):
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
    
    def doPython(self):
        print("Programming Python")

At first glance, the Programmer class mirrors a conventional class. However, the inclusion of User as a parameter indicates that Programmer inherits all functionalities from the User class.

Demonstrating Inheritance

Here’s a comprehensive demonstration of inheritance in Python:

class User:
    name = ""
    
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name
    
    def printName(self):
        print("Name  = " + self.name)

class Programmer(User):
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

    def doPython(self):
        print("Programming Python")

brian = User("brian")
brian.printName()

diana = Programmer("Diana")
diana.printName()
diana.doPython()

When executed, the code will produce:

Name  = brian
Name  = Diana
Programming Python

Through this example, it becomes evident that while brian, an instance of User, can only invoke the printName method, diana, stemming from the Programmer class, can utilize methods from both User and Programmer due to the inheritance.

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