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title Java Inheritance
description Complete guide to Java inheritance with examples. Learn extends keyword, super keyword, method overriding, and inheritance types in Java OOP.
icon GitBranch

Inheritance is one of the fundamental concepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). It allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class, promoting code reusability and establishing a relationship between classes.

What is Inheritance in Java?

Inheritance is a mechanism where a new class (child class or subclass) can inherit properties and methods from an existing class (parent class or superclass). The child class can use the parent class's methods and fields, and can also add its own methods and fields.

class Animal {  // Parent class (superclass)
    String name;

    void eat() {
        System.out.println(name + " is eating");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {  // Child class (subclass)
    void bark() {
        System.out.println(name + " is barking");
    }
}

The extends Keyword

The extends keyword is used to establish inheritance between classes. The child class extends the parent class.

Syntax

class ChildClass extends ParentClass {
    // child class body
}

Example: Basic Inheritance

class Vehicle {
    String brand;
    int speed;

    void displayInfo() {
        System.out.println("Brand: " + brand);
        System.out.println("Speed: " + speed + " km/h");
    }

    void start() {
        System.out.println("Vehicle is starting...");
    }
}

class Car extends Vehicle {
    int doors;

    void honk() {
        System.out.println("Car is honking!");
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Car myCar = new Car();
        myCar.brand = "Toyota";
        myCar.speed = 180;
        myCar.doors = 4;

        // Using inherited methods
        myCar.displayInfo();
        myCar.start();

        // Using car-specific method
        myCar.honk();
    }
}

Output:

Brand: Toyota
Speed: 180 km/h
Vehicle is starting...
Car is honking!

Types of Inheritance

1. Single Inheritance

One class inherits from another class.

class Animal {
    void eat() {
        System.out.println("Animal is eating");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    void bark() {
        System.out.println("Dog is barking");
    }
}

2. Multilevel Inheritance

A class inherits from another class, which itself inherits from another class.

class Animal {
    void eat() {
        System.out.println("Animal is eating");
    }
}

class Mammal extends Animal {
    void walk() {
        System.out.println("Mammal is walking");
    }
}

class Dog extends Mammal {
    void bark() {
        System.out.println("Dog is barking");
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Dog dog = new Dog();
        dog.eat();   // From Animal class
        dog.walk();  // From Mammal class
        dog.bark();  // From Dog class
    }
}

3. Hierarchical Inheritance

Multiple classes inherit from a single parent class.

class Animal {
    void eat() {
        System.out.println("Animal is eating");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    void bark() {
        System.out.println("Dog is barking");
    }
}

class Cat extends Animal {
    void meow() {
        System.out.println("Cat is meowing");
    }
}

Note: Java doesn't support multiple inheritance of classes (a class cannot extend multiple classes), but it supports multiple inheritance through interfaces.

The super Keyword

The super keyword is used to refer to the immediate parent class object. It has several uses:

1. Accessing Parent Class Methods

class Animal {
    void display() {
        System.out.println("I am an animal");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    void display() {
        super.display(); // Call parent class method
        System.out.println("I am a dog");
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Dog dog = new Dog();
        dog.display();
    }
}

Output:

I am an animal
I am a dog

2. Accessing Parent Class Variables

class Animal {
    String color = "white";
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    String color = "brown";

    void displayColors() {
        System.out.println("Dog color: " + color);        // brown
        System.out.println("Animal color: " + super.color); // white
    }
}

3. Calling Parent Class Constructor

class Animal {
    String name;

    Animal(String name) {
        this.name = name;
        System.out.println("Animal constructor called");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    String breed;

    Dog(String name, String breed) {
        super(name); // Call parent constructor
        this.breed = breed;
        System.out.println("Dog constructor called");
    }

    void display() {
        System.out.println("Name: " + name + ", Breed: " + breed);
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Dog dog = new Dog("Buddy", "Golden Retriever");
        dog.display();
    }
}

Output:

Animal constructor called
Dog constructor called
Name: Buddy, Breed: Golden Retriever

Method Overriding

Method overriding allows a child class to provide a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its parent class.

Rules for Method Overriding

  1. The method must have the same name as in the parent class
  2. The method must have the same parameters as in the parent class
  3. There must be an IS-A relationship (inheritance)

Example: Method Overriding

class Animal {
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
    }

    void sleep() {
        System.out.println("Animal is sleeping");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    @Override
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Dog barks");
    }

    // sleep() method is inherited as-is
}

class Cat extends Animal {
    @Override
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Cat meows");
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal animal1 = new Dog();
        Animal animal2 = new Cat();

        animal1.makeSound(); // Dog barks
        animal2.makeSound(); // Cat meows

        animal1.sleep();     // Animal is sleeping
    }
}

@Override Annotation

The @Override annotation is used to indicate that a method is being overridden. It helps catch errors at compile time.

class Parent {
    void display() {
        System.out.println("Parent display");
    }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    @Override
    void display() { // This annotation ensures correct overriding
        System.out.println("Child display");
    }
}

Access Modifiers and Inheritance

Different access modifiers affect how members are inherited:

Access Modifier Same Class Same Package Subclass Other Package
private ✓ ✗ ✗ ✗
default ✓ ✓ ✓* ✗
protected ✓ ✓ ✓ ✗
public ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

*Only if subclass is in the same package

Example: Protected Members

class Parent {
    protected String message = "Hello from Parent";

    protected void display() {
        System.out.println("Protected method in Parent");
    }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    void show() {
        System.out.println(message); // Can access protected member
        display(); // Can access protected method
    }
}

Constructor Chaining in Inheritance

When creating an object of a child class, constructors are called in a chain from parent to child.

class GrandParent {
    GrandParent() {
        System.out.println("GrandParent constructor");
    }
}

class Parent extends GrandParent {
    Parent() {
        System.out.println("Parent constructor");
    }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    Child() {
        System.out.println("Child constructor");
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Child child = new Child();
    }
}

Output:

GrandParent constructor
Parent constructor
Child constructor

Real-World Example: Employee Management System

class Employee {
    protected String name;
    protected int id;
    protected double salary;

    public Employee(String name, int id, double salary) {
        this.name = name;
        this.id = id;
        this.salary = salary;
    }

    public void displayInfo() {
        System.out.println("ID: " + id);
        System.out.println("Name: " + name);
        System.out.println("Salary: $" + salary);
    }

    public double calculateBonus() {
        return salary * 0.05; // 5% bonus
    }
}

class Manager extends Employee {
    private int teamSize;

    public Manager(String name, int id, double salary, int teamSize) {
        super(name, id, salary);
        this.teamSize = teamSize;
    }

    @Override
    public void displayInfo() {
        super.displayInfo();
        System.out.println("Team Size: " + teamSize);
        System.out.println("Role: Manager");
    }

    @Override
    public double calculateBonus() {
        return salary * 0.15; // 15% bonus for managers
    }
}

class Developer extends Employee {
    private String programmingLanguage;

    public Developer(String name, int id, double salary, String language) {
        super(name, id, salary);
        this.programmingLanguage = language;
    }

    @Override
    public void displayInfo() {
        super.displayInfo();
        System.out.println("Programming Language: " + programmingLanguage);
        System.out.println("Role: Developer");
    }
}

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Manager manager = new Manager("Alice", 101, 75000, 5);
        Developer developer = new Developer("Bob", 102, 60000, "Java");

        System.out.println("Manager Details:");
        manager.displayInfo();
        System.out.println("Bonus: $" + manager.calculateBonus());

        System.out.println("\nDeveloper Details:");
        developer.displayInfo();
        System.out.println("Bonus: $" + developer.calculateBonus());
    }
}

Key Points to Remember

  • Use extends keyword to establish inheritance
  • Child class inherits all non-private members from parent class
  • Use super keyword to access parent class members
  • Method overriding allows child class to provide specific implementation
  • Use @Override annotation to ensure correct method overriding
  • Constructor chaining happens automatically from parent to child
  • Java supports single inheritance for classes
  • private members are not inherited
  • protected members are accessible to child classes

Best Practice: Always use the @Override annotation when overriding methods to catch errors early and improve code readability.