Python is a multi-purpose, high-level programming language that is widely used for web development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analysis, and scientific computing, among other areas. One of the key features of Python that sets it apart from other programming languages is its support for multiple inheritance, which allows a class to inherit properties and methods from multiple base classes.
In this article, we will delve into the concept of multiple inheritance in Python, explain its syntax, and provide examples. We will also explore the concept of Method Resolution Order (MRO) in multiple inheritance.
Additionally, we will compare Python’s support for multiple inheritance with Java’s lack of it, and explore some of the benefits of Python’s flexible and powerful approach to inheritance.
Syntax for Multiple Inheritance
The syntax for multiple inheritance in Python is fairly simple. To create a class that inherits properties and methods from multiple base classes, you need to define the class as follows:
class DerivedClass(BaseClass1, BaseClass2, BaseClass3):
# class definitionIn this syntax, DerivedClass is the name of the class that will inherit properties and methods from BaseClass1, BaseClass2, and BaseClass3.
You can include as many base classes as you need, separated by commas.
Example of Multiple Inheritance
Consider the following example:
class A:
def hello(self):
print("Hello from A")
class B:
def hello(self):
print("Hello from B")
class C(A, B):
pass
class D(B, A):
pass
c = C()
d = D()
c.hello()
d.hello()In this example, we define classes A and B, both of which have a method named hello. We then define two classes that inherit properties and methods from A and B: C and D.
When we create an instance of C and call the hello method, the output is:
Hello from AThis is because C inherits the hello method from A, which is the first base class listed in the inheritance hierarchy. When we create an instance of D and call the hello method, the output is:
Hello from BThis is because D inherits the hello method from B, which is the first base class listed in the inheritance hierarchy.
Method Resolution Order (MRO) in Multiple Inheritance
In Python, when you define a class that inherits properties and methods from multiple base classes, the order in which those base classes are listed in the class definition is important. This order determines the Method Resolution Order (MRO) that Python will use to search for the correct implementation of a method.
Python uses a depth-first search to determine the MRO. That is, it looks first at the leftmost base class, then its base classes, and so on, until it reaches the end of the inheritance chain or finds the correct implementation of the method it is looking for.
You can view the MRO for a class by calling the mro() method on the class object. For example:
>>> C.mro()
[, , , ] This output shows that the MRO for C is in the order C, A, B, object. This means that when we call a method on an instance of C, Python will first search for the method in C, then in A, then in B, and finally in object, which is the base class of all classes in Python.
Comparison between Python and Java in Multiple Inheritance
One of the key differences between Python and Java is their approach to inheritance. In Java, a class can inherit from only one superclass, which means that a class cannot inherit properties and methods from multiple base classes.
Python, on the other hand, allows for multiple inheritance, which means that a class can inherit properties and methods from multiple base classes. This gives Python a great deal of flexibility in defining classes and allows for a more compact and reusable code base.
Properties of all Base Classes are Inherited into Derived Class
When a class inherits properties and methods from multiple base classes, all of the properties and methods of those base classes are inherited into the derived class. This can be incredibly useful for creating classes that share common functionality.
For example, imagine you are developing a game that has multiple characters. Each character has many properties and methods in common with other characters, such as position, health, and movement methods.
Rather than defining all of these properties and methods for each character class, you can create a Character base class that defines all of these properties and methods. Then you can create specific character classes that inherit from Character and add any additional properties or methods they require.
Conclusion
Python’s support for multiple inheritance provides incredible flexibility and power when defining classes. By allowing a class to inherit properties and methods from multiple base classes, Python allows you to create more compact and reusable code bases.
Additionally, the concept of Method Resolution Order (MRO) in Python’s multiple inheritance ensures that the correct implementation of each method is used. Overall, understanding multiple inheritance in Python is essential for any programmer looking to take advantage of this powerful language.
3) Python Multiple Inheritance Syntax
The syntax for multiple inheritance in Python is similar to that of single inheritance. In single inheritance, a derived class inherits properties and methods from a single base class.
In multiple inheritance, a derived class inherits properties and methods from two or more base classes.
The syntax for defining a class that inherits from multiple base classes is as follows:
class DerivedClassName(BaseClass1, BaseClass2, BaseClass3):
# Class definition goes hereIn this syntax, DerivedClassName is the name of the class that is being defined.
BaseClass1, BaseClass2, and BaseClass3 are the names of the base classes that the derived class is inheriting from. The base classes are separated by commas.
You can list as many base classes as you need. When a derived class is created, it claims all the properties and methods of its base classes.
Thus, the derived class can use the properties and methods of all its base classes, as if it had defined them itself.
4) Python Multiple Inheritance Example
To understand multiple inheritance, let us consider an example where we inherit from two parent classes. Suppose we have a class Shape, which defines the basic properties of a shape, such as its position and size.
We also have a class Color, which defines the properties of a shape’s color.
We can define a class Square that inherits properties from both the Shape and Color classes, as follows:
class Shape:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
class Color:
def __init__(self, color):
self.color = color
class Square(Shape, Color):
def __init__(self, x, y, color):
Shape.__init__(self, x, y)
Color.__init__(self, color)In this example, the Square class inherits properties from both the Shape and Color classes.
We define the __init__() method for the Square class, which initializes the x and y properties inherited from the Shape class, as well as the color property inherited from the Color class. When we create an object of the Square class, we can access all the properties and methods of the Shape and Color classes, as if they were part of the Square class itself.
square1 = Square(5, 10, "red")
print(square1.x)
print(square1.y)
print(square1.color)Output:
5
10
redOrder of Class Inheritance
In Python, the order in which the base classes are listed in the definition of a derived class is significant. This order determines the order in which the base classes are searched to resolve attribute references, including methods.
When a derived class inherits from multiple base classes, Python uses the Method Resolution Order (MRO) to determine the order in which the base classes are searched. The MRO is calculated using an algorithm called C3 linearization, which is a variant of the topological sorting algorithm.
The MRO of a class can be viewed by calling the mro() method on the class object. For example:
class A:
pass
class B:
pass
class C(A, B):
pass
print(C.mro())Output:
[, , , ] In this example, we define classes A, B, and C. The class C inherits from the A and B classes.
When we call the mro() method on C, the output shows that the MRO for the C class is [.
This means that when we call a method on an instance of the C class, Python will first search for the method in the C class itself, then in the A class, then in the B class, and finally in the object class, which is the base class of all classes in Python.
Conclusion
Multiple inheritance is a powerful feature of Python that allows a class to inherit properties and methods from multiple base classes. The syntax for multiple inheritance is similar to that of single inheritance, but with multiple base classes separated by commas.
When a class inherits from multiple base classes, it claims all the properties and methods of those base classes. The order in which the base classes are listed in the class definition is important, as it determines the MRO for the class.
Using multiple inheritance can help to create more compact and reusable code bases, as well as allow for more complex inheritance hierarchies. It is important to understand the syntax of multiple inheritance and the rules for resolving attribute references in order to use this powerful feature effectively.
5) Multiple Resolution Order
When multiple inheritance is used in Python, Python uses the Method Resolution Order (MRO) to determine the order in which the variables or functions of a class are resolved when called upon. The MRO is the technique used to decide the order of lookup of these variables or functions in case they are inherited from multiple parent classes.
The attribute is first looked up in the current class and, if not found, then in the parent class. This search process is continued until the end of the inheritance chain, which is the base class.
This ensures a consistent and predictable approach to resolving variables or functions.
The preference order of MRO is depth-first, followed by left-right path.
This means that the search begins from the derived class itself. It then iterates through the tree of inherited classes, looking for the variable or function in a depth-first fashion.
When there are multiple parent classes, it follows the left-to-right order.
6) Example to Explain MRO
Consider the following classes:
class A:
def test(self):
print("A")
class B:
def test(self):
print("B")
class C(A, B):
def test(self):
print("C")
class D(B, A):
def test(self):
print("D")In this example, we define four classes, A, B, C, and D.
The C class inherits from A and B, while the D class inherits in the opposite order. Each class defines a method named test, and we are interested in determining the order in which these methods are invoked in instances of C and D.
To display the lookup order of the test() method, we can use the mro() method. For example, let us display the lookup order for the C class:
print(C.mro())Output:
[, , , ] As we can see from the output, the MRO for the C class is [.
This means that when we call the test() method on an instance of the C class, Python will first look in the C class for the method. If it is not found there, it will look in the A class, and then in the B class.
If it is not found in any of those classes, it will finally look in the base class object. Now let us display the lookup order for the D class:
print(D.mro())Output:
[, , , ] As we can see from the output, the MRO for the D class is [.
This means that when we call the test() method on an instance of the D class, Python will first look in the D class for the method. If it is not found there, it will look in the B class, and then in the A class.
If it is not found in any of those classes, it will finally look in the base class object. Thus, for instance of C, the output would be:
c = C()
c.test()Output:
COn the other hand, for instance of D, the output would be:
d = D()
d.test()Output:
DThis is because the derived class C searches for the test() method first in the class C itself and then in the parent classes A and B. Whereas, the derived class D first searches for the test() method in the class D itself and then in the parent classes B and A.
The lookup order for the method resolution order varies as per the order the base classes are defined.
Conclusion
The Method Resolution Order (MRO) is a powerful feature of Python that is used to resolve the search order of the variables or functions inherited through multiple inheritance in classes. The MRO maintains a consistent and predictable approach to resolving variables or functions, following the depth-first approach followed by the left-right path preference order while searching through the inheritance hierarchy.
MRO is an essential aspect of Python programming, and its understanding is critical for developers to leverage Python’s capability of inheritance to the fullest.
7) Methods for Method Resolution Order (MRO)
Python provides the __mro__ attribute and the mro() method to obtain the resolution order of the inheritance hierarchy for a particular class. The MRO is the order by which Python looks up attributes of an object that has multiple inheritance.
The __mro__ attribute is a tuple that represents the Method Resolution Order of