Inheritance in Java

Inheritance in Java is a mechanism in which one object acquires all the properties and behaviors of a parent object. It is an important part of OOPs (Object Oriented programming system).

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 the parent class. Moreover, you can add new methods and fields in your current class also.

Inheritance represents the IS-A relationship which is also known as a parent-child relationship.

Why use inheritance in java

For Method Overriding (so runtime polymorphism can be achieved).
For Code Reusability.

Terms used in Inheritance

Class: A class is a group of objects which have common properties. It is a template or blueprint from which objects are created.
Sub Class/Child Class: Subclass is a class which inherits the other class. It is also called a derived class, extended class, or child class.
Super Class/Parent Class: Superclass is the class from where a subclass inherits the features. It is also called a base class or a parent class.
Reusability: As the name specifies, reusability is a mechanism which facilitates you to reuse the fields and methods of the existing class when you create a new class. You can use the same fields and methods already defined in the previous class.

The syntax of Java Inheritance

class Subclass-name extends Superclass-name  
{  
   //methods and fields  
}

The extends keyword indicates that you are making a new class that derives from an existing class. The meaning of "extends" is to increase the functionality.

In the terminology of Java, a class which is inherited is called a parent or superclass, and the new class is called child or subclass.

Java Inheritance Example

Example

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);  
}  
}

Output

 Programmer salary is:40000.0
 Bonus of programmer is:10000

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.

Note Note: Multiple inheritance is not supported in Java through class.

Single Inheritance Example

class Animal{  
void eat(){System.out.println("eating...");}  
}  
class Dog extends Animal{  
void bark(){System.out.println("barking...");}  
}  
class BabyDog extends Dog{  
void weep(){System.out.println("weeping...");}  
}  
class TestInheritance2{  
public static void main(String args[]){  
BabyDog d=new BabyDog();  
d.weep();  
d.bark();  
d.eat();  
}
}

Output

weeping...
barking...
eating...

Hierarchical Inheritance Example

    class Animal{  
    void eat(){System.out.println("eating...");}  
    }  
    class Dog extends Animal{  
    void bark(){System.out.println("barking...");}  
    }  
    class Cat extends Animal{  
    void meow(){System.out.println("meowing...");}  
    }  
    class TestInheritance3{  
    public static void main(String args[]){  
    Cat c=new Cat();  
    c.meow();  
    c.eat();  
    //c.bark();//C.T.Error  
    }
}

Output

meowing...
eating...

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 the same method and you call it from child class object, there will be ambiguity to call the method of A or B class.

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.