Inheritance is one of the core pillars of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Java, alongside encapsulation, polymorphism, and abstraction. It enables a new class, known as a subclass or derived class, to acquire the properties and behaviors (methods) of an existing class, referred to as a superclass or base class. This mechanism fosters a hierarchical relationship between classes, promoting code reuse and logical organization.

Key Concepts of Inheritance

• Superclass (Base Class):
  • The class whose properties and methods are inherited.
  • Represents a general category or concept.
• Subclass (Derived Class):
  • The class that inherits properties and methods from the superclass.
  • Represents a more specific category or concept.
• is-a Relationship:
  • Inheritance establishes an is-a relationship between classes.
  • Example: A Car is a Vehicle.

Benefits of Inheritance

1. Code Reusability: Allows developers to reuse existing code, reducing redundancy.
2. Logical Hierarchy: Establishes a clear and natural hierarchy among classes, making the system more organized.
3. Maintainability: Simplifies maintenance by allowing changes in the superclass to propagate to subclasses.
4. Extensibility: Facilitates the addition of new features with minimal changes to existing code.
5. Polymorphism Support: Enables objects to be treated as instances of their superclass, enhancing flexibility.

Types of Inheritance in Java

Java supports several types of inheritance, each serving different design needs. Understanding these types is essential for leveraging inheritance effectively in your applications. The primary types of inheritance in Java are:

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

Each of these inheritance types will be explored in detail in subsequent lessons.