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What is Java Inheritance?

By Priya PedamkarPriya Pedamkar

Home » Software Development » Software Development Tutorials » Java Tutorial » What is Java Inheritance?

What is Java Inheritance

What is Java Inheritance?

When it comes to Java, Inheritance can be used when a class desires to inherit the characteristics of another existing class. The class which usually desires to utilize the feature of another class is known as the subclass, while the class whose features have to be used is known as the superclass.

Actually, in Java, all classes should be derived from some class. That leads towards the query “Where will it all start?” The top-most class, the class that other classes are derived, is an Object class described in java.lang. The object is a root of a structure of classes

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The below figure shows those two types of classes:

Types of class in java

The subclass follows condition and behavior such as variables and methods from the superclass. The subclass may use just the items inherited from the superclass being, and also the subclass may change or override this. Therefore, as you fall into the hierarchy, the classes become more and more specific:

Inheriting from Object

Every class inherits directly from the Object class

Inheriting from Object

In the above diagram

public class Wholesaler extends Object { …….. }

public class Retailer extends Wholesaler { …….. }

public class Raw-Material { …………}

The extends keyword shows the parent class that the subclass is usually inherited from and cannot be applied as identifiers

In public class, Raw-Material no need to extend keyword it is directly accessing the Object class.

Definition

A subclass is a class that comes from another class. A subclass follows condition and behavior from all their ancestors. The concept superclass identifies a class’s direct ancestor and all their ascendant classes.

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Understanding Java Inheritance with an example

Inheritance describes the is-a relationship among a Superclass as well as Subclass. Extends and implements key terms prefer to express inheritance in Java.

There are different types that are as per given below.

  1. Single Inheritance
  2. Multilevel Inheritance
  3. Hierarchical Inheritance
  4. Multiple Inheritance
  5. Hybrid Inheritance

types of Inheritance

Multiple and hybrid Inheritance

Single Inheritance

If a class extends an additional class, such form of inheritance is called single level inheritance.

public class A {
………..
}
public class B extends A {
………..
}

Single level

Class B has extended class A and so thereby class B has use of the method displayA() of class A because it is own method.

Multi-Level Inheritance

If a class extends an additional class, which can be itself extended by simply an additional class, such form of inheritance is called multilevel inheritance.

public class A { ……………… }
public class B extends A { ……………… }
public class C extends B { ……………… }

Multi-Level

Output:

Output

Class A is extended by simply class B and then class B is by itself extended by class C, which provides class C a direct having access to the method displayA() and displayB() of class A and as well B by simply getting at these an object of class C (without having to generate objects of class A and B).

Hierarchical Inheritance

When a couple of classes inherit the same class, therefore this is known as hierarchical inheritance. For example, class B and C extend the same class A.

public class A { ……………… }
public class B extends A { ……………… }
public class C extends A { ……………… }

If a class has more than one child classes (subclasses), as well as basically more than one child classes, have a similar parent class then simply such type of inheritance is called hierarchical inheritance.

We are writing a code where class B and C extends class A

Hierarchical

Multiple Inheritance

The syntax for Multiple Inheritance

public class A { ……………… }
public class B extends A { ……………… }
public class D extends A, B, C { ……………….. }

Note: Multiple Inheritance not supported in java.

Java would not support multiple inheritances. This is because multiple inheritances cause ambiguity and thus, Java does not use it. Diamond issue assists with comprehension of this scenario.

However, multiple inheritances in Java may be accomplished by using interfaces. Regardless if many quantities of interfaces in a class with an exact method, there is not any indication of ambiguity since methods within an interface are often abstract.

The other way is to use interfaces. Interfaces will start becoming important.

An interface specifies the form of its methods but does not give any implementation details; therefore, you can think of it much like the declaration of a class.

you can create the interface with the interface keyword:

interface C
{
…………………………
}
interface b
{
…………………….
}
class a implements b, c
{
………………………
}

We can use these two interfaces with the implements keyword:

Hybrid Inheritance

Hybrid inheritance is mostly a mixture of more than one types of inheritance. Such as when class A and B extends class C Plus a further class D extends class A after that this can be a hybrid inheritance since it is the variety of single and hierarchical inheritance.

Hybrid Inheritance

Hybrid Inheritance 2

Output:

Hybrid Inheritance Ouput

Stopping Inheritance with final keyword

You can prevent the class from being subclass by declaring the entire class final as per below

final class animal
{
public void breathe()
{
System.out.println("Breathing...");
}
}
class dog extends animal
{
public void breathe()
{
System.out.println("Barking...");
}
}
public class history
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
System.out.println("Creating an animal...");
animal a = new animal();
a.breathe();
System.out.println();
System.out.println("Creating an bulldog...");
dog d = new dog();
d.breathe();
}
}

If you try to execute this code:

Can’t subclass final classes: class animal class dog extends animal 1 error generated.

Creating Constants with final keyword

To prevent method overriding and to prevent subclassing. There is another use for final in Java you can use it to declare constants.

As per below code:

public class history
{
Public static void main(String[] args)
{
final int a = 4;
a = 5;
}
}

If you try to execute this code:

Can’t assign a value to a final variable: a 1 error generated

Top Java Inheritance Companies

The top java inheritance companies include:

  1. Intel
  2. VM ware
  3. Adobe
  4. Nvidia
  5. Amazon
  6. Cisco
  7. Akamai
  8. Philips electronics.
  9. IBM
  10. SAP

Advantages

Considered to be one of the main features of inheritance is used to decrease the amount of duplicate code in an application form by sharing ordinary code between many subclasses. Where equal code can be obtained in two related classes, the hierarchy can normally be refactored to transfer the ordinary code up to a mutual superclass. This will result in a superior organization of code as well as smaller sized easier compilation units.

  • Inheritance: It can create application code much more adaptable to modify simply because classes that inherit from a standard superclass may be used interchangeably. When the return type of a procedure is the superclass.
  • Reusability – Ability to manage public methods of a base class without rewriting the similar.
  • Extensibility – extending the base class logic according to the business logic of the derived class.
  • Data hiding – base class could want to keep a few data private, so it is never modified by the derived class.
  • Overriding -With inheritance, we can manage to override the methods of the base class so important implementation of the base class method could be completed in the derived class.

Why should we use it?

Inheritance is an effective programming concept, but it may be simple to use inappropriately. Usually, interfaces are effective more efficient.

Inheritance is the best choice when:

  • Your inheritance hierarchy signifies an “is-a” relationship, but not a “has-a” relationship.
  • You may reuse the code from the base classes.
  • You may need to apply the similar class and ways to distinct data types.
  • The class hierarchy is quite shallow, along with other developers are not really to contribute many more phases.
  • You wish to create global variations to derived classes by modifying a base class.

Why do we need it?

It is an OOP (object-oriented programming) concept. The main purpose of inheritance is to always create a certain part of your project’s code reusable with the possibility for adding or eliminating selected features afterwards. A child class could inherit or override selected methods from the parent class it inherited; it is the methods from without exchanging the parent class of itself. This can possibly include its own new methods which are usually not found in the child class.

  • Encapsulation: When we involve some regular attributes, after that we encapsulate these in a parent class and simply provide particular attributes to child classes.
  • Polymorphism: We could utilize Polymorphism with Inheritance in Java. To ensure according to the form of Child class, exact class acts in a different way.
  • Code Reusability: Applying Inheritance can be useful for reusing code.
  • Efficiency: It can be effective to apply Inheritance while writing code. This could boost the speed of task.

The same as in real life, a child could inherit selected features from his parents and, through selected environmental variations develop new features or drop features he attained from his parents.

Who is the right audience for learning Java Inheritance technologies?

When thinking about what should be done with it, several developers think of building:

Andriod Developer

Android Developer

Android is the most effective mobile operating system in today’s competitive market with more than 1.5 million new devices activated per day. Android training offers you hands-on experience in creating as well as constructing easy to complex Android apps, ensuring you proficient in acquiring your dream IT job. You could have an excellent history in programming, but Android training will benefit you enhance your abilities.

Android is definitely growing so when you learn the fundamental principles as well as features, your skill set will grow correct in addition to it. Developers can make games and apps for Android users and spread them through an open world. Android training is amongst the most intelligent facts a developer can accomplish, so it has lots of benefits.

IOT Developer

IoT Developer

You can hear quite a lot about the Internet of Things (IoT) at the present time. The IoT is all around, from sensors in enormous industrial machinery in smart-house devices like digital security cameras. Basically, did you know the popular Nest thermostat will depend on a remarkable combination of Java and AI? A few smart vending machines are Java depends, working with software to track inventory, temperature, humidity, as well as region. Furthermore, several wearable technology applications are designed in Java Inheritance.

Big Data AnalysisBig Data Analysis

Nowadays, big data analysis is at the core of one of the most interesting uses of technology. Research studies in several key industries are applying innovative data analysis techniques to learn new patterns in large volumes of data also to better figure out complex processes. 

Embedded system

Embedded Systems

Embedded systems, starting from small chips to specialized computers, are actually components of bigger electromechanical devices executing committed tasks. Many devices, just like SIM cards, blue-ray disk players, utility meters and television sets, use embedded Java solutions. According to Oracle, 100% of Blu-ray Disc Players and 125 million Television devices utilize by Java.

How this technology will help you in career growth?

Java is among the most prominent and essentially used programming language on the globe of Information Technology. Java is furthermore fundamental programming language which a fresher also can easily learn. As per the report by Oracle Java runs in greater than 3 Billion devices..!

Java is an evergreen programming language. Almost all of the known companies including IBM, Infosys, CTS, and TCS are applying Java as their ideal Programming Language.

Today the Existing Trend Java developers can play with are listed below,

  1. Java with Selenium Automation Tester
  2. Java with DevOps
  3. Java with Hadoop Development

Conclusion

It is a powerful weapon of Java that can help to succeed in a most suitable language. It can help to minimize code duplication and reduces the bugs. With the code set in the parent class, you can no longer prefer to write similar code for many child classes with the same characteristics. Therefore, inheritance in Java executes code reusability to be certainly better ease of access to end-users.

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This has been a guide to What is Java Inheritance?. Here we discussed the basic concept, use, need, career growth and advantages of Java Inheritance. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

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