? Types of Inheritance in Java

? Quick Overview

Inheritance in Java allows one class to acquire the properties and behavior of another class. It promotes code reusability, method overriding, and logical class hierarchy.

? Key Concepts

Inheritance uses the extends keyword
Parent class is also called superclass
Child class is also called subclass
Java supports multiple inheritance only through interfaces

? Types of Inheritance

Single Inheritance
Multilevel Inheritance
Hierarchical Inheritance
Multiple Inheritance (via Interface)
Hybrid Inheritance (via Interface)

? Syntax / Theory

A subclass inherits a superclass using the extends keyword.

? View Code Example

// Basic inheritance syntax
class Parent {
void show() {
System.out.println("Parent class method");
}
}

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

? Code Example – Single Inheritance

? View Code Example

// Single inheritance example in Java
class Animal {
void eat() {
System.out.println("Animal is eating");
}
}

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

class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Dog d = new Dog();
d.eat();
d.bark();
}
}

?️ Live Output / Explanation

Output

Animal is eating
Dog is barking

The Dog class inherits the eat() method from the Animal class.

? Interactive: Visualizing Inheritance

Click the button below to see how the extends keyword unlocks capabilities.

class Vehicle

? startEngine()

? stopEngine()

class Car

? playMusic()

⬇️

Car myCar = new Car();

Methods available to 'myCar':

? playMusic()

? Tips & Best Practices

Use inheritance only when a true "is-a" relationship exists
Prefer method overriding instead of duplicating code
Avoid deep inheritance hierarchies
Use interfaces for multiple inheritance

? Try It Yourself

Create a multilevel inheritance example
Implement hierarchical inheritance using three classes
Use an interface to simulate multiple inheritance