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Inheritance in Java

Inheritance in Java enables a subclass to inherit properties and behaviors from a superclass, promoting code reuse and class relationships. There are four types of inheritance: single, multilevel, hierarchical, and hybrid, with hybrid being implemented through interfaces due to Java's limitations. Examples illustrate each type, showcasing how classes can inherit methods and functionalities from one another.

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2 views

Inheritance in Java

Inheritance in Java enables a subclass to inherit properties and behaviors from a superclass, promoting code reuse and class relationships. There are four types of inheritance: single, multilevel, hierarchical, and hybrid, with hybrid being implemented through interfaces due to Java's limitations. Examples illustrate each type, showcasing how classes can inherit methods and functionalities from one another.

Uploaded by

pradeepkumarv.sixphrase
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Inheritance In Java

Inheritance in Java allows a new class (subclass or child class) to inherit properties
and behaviors (fields and methods) from an existing class (superclass or parent
class). This helps in reusing code and establishing a relationship between classes.

Types of Inheritance in Java:

Single Inheritance

One class inherits from another class.

Example: A class "Staff" inherits from "HOD".

Multilevel Inheritance

A class inherits from a subclass, making a chain of inheritance.

Example: "AssistantStaff" inherits from "Staff", and "Staff" inherits from "HOD".

Hierarchical Inheritance

Multiple classes inherit from a single superclass.

Example: "TeachingStaff" and "NonTeachingStaff" both inherit from "HOD".

Hybrid Inheritance

A combination of two or more types of inheritance. (Not supported directly in


Java, but can be implemented through interfaces).

Example: Combination of hierarchical and multilevel inheritance.

1. Single Inheritance

Definition: In Single Inheritance, a child class inherits properties and methods of


one parent class.

Example:
class HOD {

void manageDepartment() {

System.out.println("Managing the department.");

class Staff extends HOD {

void workOnAssignments() {

System.out.println("Working on assignments.");

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

Staff staff = new Staff();

staff.manageDepartment(); // Inherited from HOD

staff.workOnAssignments(); // Specific to Staff

Diagram:

HOD

Staff
2. Multilevel Inheritance

Definition: In Multilevel Inheritance, a class is derived from a subclass, creating a


multi-level hierarchy.

Example:

class HOD {

void manageDepartment() {

System.out.println("Managing the department.");

class Staff extends HOD {

void workOnAssignments() {

System.out.println("Working on assignments.");

class AssistantStaff extends Staff {

void assistInTeaching() {

System.out.println("Assisting in teaching.");

}
public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

AssistantStaff assistantStaff = new AssistantStaff();

assistantStaff.manageDepartment(); // Inherited from HOD

assistantStaff.workOnAssignments(); // Inherited from Staff

assistantStaff.assistInTeaching(); // Specific to AssistantStaff

Diagram:

HOD

Staff

AssistantStaff

3. Hierarchical Inheritance

Definition: In Hierarchical Inheritance, multiple classes inherit from a single


superclass.

Example:

class HOD {

void manageDepartment() {

System.out.println("Managing the department.");


}

class TeachingStaff extends HOD {

void teachSubjects() {

System.out.println("Teaching subjects.");

class NonTeachingStaff extends HOD {

void manageAdministration() {

System.out.println("Managing administration tasks.");

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

TeachingStaff teacher = new TeachingStaff();

teacher.manageDepartment(); // Inherited from HOD

teacher.teachSubjects(); // Specific to TeachingStaff

NonTeachingStaff nonTeacher = new NonTeachingStaff();

nonTeacher.manageDepartment(); // Inherited from HOD


nonTeacher.manageAdministration(); // Specific to NonTeachingStaff

Diagram:

HOD

/ \

TeachingStaff NonTeachingStaff

4. Hybrid Inheritance

Definition: Hybrid inheritance is a combination of two or more types of


inheritance. Java doesn't support this directly through classes but can be
implemented using interfaces.

Example (Using Interfaces for Hybrid):

interface HOD {

void manageDepartment();

interface Staff {

void workOnAssignments();

class AssistantStaff implements HOD, Staff {


public void manageDepartment() {

System.out.println("Managing the department.");

public void workOnAssignments() {

System.out.println("Working on assignments.");

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

AssistantStaff assistantStaff = new AssistantStaff();

assistantStaff.manageDepartment(); // From HOD interface

assistantStaff.workOnAssignments(); // From Staff interface

Diagram:

HOD Staff

\ /

AssistantStaff
Step-by-Step Explanation

Start with a Simple Example:

Begin with the HOD class, which represents the head of the department. The HOD
has a method that shows their responsibility, like managing the department.

Introduce Staff Class:

The Staff class represents the staff members working in the department. The staff
inherits from HOD, meaning it can use the manageDepartment method from HOD,
but it also has additional responsibilities, like working on assignments.

Use Multiple Classes for Multilevel Inheritance:

The AssistantStaff class is an example of multilevel inheritance. This class inherits


from Staff, so it can perform both tasks: managing the department and working on
assignments. It also has its own special responsibility, such as assisting in teaching.

Demonstrate Hierarchical Inheritance

In hierarchical inheritance, multiple subclasses (like TeachingStaff and


NonTeachingStaff) inherit from the same superclass (HOD), but they perform
different tasks. The teacher teaches subjects, while the non-teaching staff handles
administration.

Explain Hybrid Inheritance via Interfaces:

To demonstrate hybrid inheritance, use interfaces. AssistantStaff implements both


the HOD and Staff interfaces, allowing it to take up responsibilities from both.

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