Multiple Inheritance In Java

Q: How is multiple inheritance achieved in Java?

In Java, multiple inheritance is not directly supported for classes. However, it can be achieved using interfaces. An interface in Java is similar to a class as it can contain variables and methods. A class can inherit and implement the methods defined in those interfaces by implementing multiple interfaces, effectively achieving a form of multiple inheritance.

It plays a vital role in building class hierarchies and creating relationships between classes.

The understanding of inheritance enables the creation of new classes based on existing classes. By inheriting from a parent class, you can reuse the methods and fields already defined in that class. You have the flexibility to introduce new methods and fields specific to your current class.

Inheritance establishes an “IS-A” relationship between classes, also referred to as a parent-child relationship. This relationship signifies that the child class is a specialized version of the parent class, inheriting its characteristics and functionality.

By leveraging inheritance in Java, you can efficiently organize and extend your code, promote code reusability, and establish clear relationships between classes.

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Syntax of Java Multiple inheritance

In Java, the “extends” keyword is used to create a new class that inherits from an existing class. When a class extends another class, it gains additional functionality and capabilities. In Java terminology, the class being inherited from is referred to as the parent or superclass, while the new class that inherits from it is known as the child or subclass.

By using the “extends” keyword, you can build upon the existing class, incorporating its attributes and behavior’s into the new class. This allows you to reuse and extend the functionality of the parent class, creating a relationship where the child class inherits the characteristics of the parent class.

Class Subclass-name extends Superclass-name.

{

//methods and fields

}

Why use inheritance in Java

Inheritance in Java provides several benefits and serves various purposes. It achieves method overriding, enables runtime polymorphism, and promotes code reusability.

By using inheritance in Java, you can create a subclass that inherits the properties and behaviours of a parent class. The parent class serves as a blueprint or template for creating objects. The subclass, also known as the child class or derived class, gains access to the features of the parent class.

The parent class, referred to as the superclass or base class, acts as the provider of the inherited features. The subclass can reuse the fields and methods defined in the superclass, promoting code reusability. This mechanism allows you to avoid duplicating code by utilizing the existing functionality and extending it in the new class.

In summary, inheritance in Java facilitates method overriding, supports runtime polymorphism, and enhances code reusability by allowing subclasses to inherit and build upon the properties and methods of their parent classes.

Terms used in inheritance

In Java, a class serves as a blueprint or template for creating objects that share common properties. It describes the structure and behavior that objects of that class will have.

A subclass, also known as a child class, is a class that inherits the characteristics of another class. It extends the functionality of the parent class and can add its own unique features. Subclasses are also referred to as derived or extended classes.

On the other hand, a superclass, or parent class, is the class from which a subclass inherits its properties and behaviours. It serves as the foundation for the subclass, providing a set of features that can be extended or overridden.

Reusability is a key aspect of inheritance. It allows you to reuse an existing class’s fields and methods when creating a new class. This means you can leverage the code already defined in the previous class, saving time and effort in development.

By understanding these concepts, you can effectively utilize the power of inheritance in Java to create well-structured and efficient code. It enables you to define relationships between classes, enhance code reuse, and build upon existing functionality to meet your specific programming needs.

Types of Multiples Inheritance

There exist 5 types of inheritance in Java such as:

Single
Multilevel
Hierarchical
Multiple
Hybrid

Java Inheritance example

class Animal{

void eat(){System.out.println(“Playing…”);}

}

class Dog extends Animal{

void bark(){System.out.println(“walking…”);}

}

class TestInheritance{

public static void main(String args[]){

Dog d=new Dog();

d.bark();

d.eat();

}}

Output:

walking…

Playing…

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are multiple inheritances in object-oriented programming?

Ans. Multiple inheritance is a feature in object-oriented programming that allows a subclass to inherit from multiple superclass’s. It can also introduce complexities and conflicts, commonly referred to as the “diamond problem.”

Q2. What is a real-life example of multiple inheritance?

Ans. A practical example of multiple inheritance is a class that inherits from both a “Vehicle” class and an “Electricity-Powered” class, resulting in a new class called “Electric Vehicle.”

Q3. How is multiple inheritance achieved in Java?

Ans. In Java, multiple inheritance is not directly supported for classes. However, it can be achieved using interfaces. An interface in Java is similar to a class as it can contain variables and methods. A class can inherit and implement the methods defined in those interfaces by implementing multiple interfaces, effectively achieving a form of multiple inheritance.