Python Multiple Inheritance

A class can be derived from more than one superclass in Python. This is called multiple inheritance.

For example, A class Bat is derived from superclasses Mammal and WingedAnimal. It makes sense because bat is a mammal as well as a winged animal.

Python Multiple Inheritance Syntax

class SuperClass1:
    # features of SuperClass1

class SuperClass2:
    # features of SuperClass2

class MultiDerived(SuperClass1, SuperClass2):
    # features of SuperClass1 + SuperClass2 + MultiDerived class

Here, the MultiDerived class is derived from SuperClass1 and SuperClass2 classes.

Example: Python Multiple Inheritance

class Mammal:
    def mammal_info(self):
        print("Mammals can give direct birth.")

class WingedAnimal:
    def winged_animal_info(self):
        print("Winged animals can flap.")

class Bat(Mammal, WingedAnimal):
    pass

# create an object of Bat class
b1 = Bat()

b1.mammal_info()
b1.winged_animal_info()

Output

Mammals can give direct birth.
Winged animals can flap.

In the above example, the Bat class is derived from two super classes: Mammal and WingedAnimal. Notice the statements,

b1 = Bat()
b1.mammal_info()
b1.winged_animal_info()

Here, we are using b1 (object of Bat) to access mammal_info() and winged_animal_info() methods of the Mammal and the WingedAnimal class respectively.

Python Multilevel Inheritance

In Python, not only can we derive a class from the superclass but you can also derive a class from the derived class. This form of inheritance is known as multilevel inheritance.

Here's the syntax of the multilevel inheritance,

class SuperClass:
    # Super class code here

class DerivedClass1(SuperClass):
    # Derived class 1 code here

class DerivedClass2(DerivedClass1):
    # Derived class 2 code here

Here, the DerivedClass1 class is derived from the SuperClass class, and the DerivedClass2 class is derived from the DerivedClass1 class.

Example: Python Multilevel Inheritance

class SuperClass:

    def super_method(self):
        print("Super Class method called")

# define class that derive from SuperClass
class DerivedClass1(SuperClass):
    def derived1_method(self):
        print("Derived class 1 method called")

# define class that derive from DerivedClass1
class DerivedClass2(DerivedClass1):

    def derived2_method(self):
        print("Derived class 2 method called")

# create an object of DerivedClass2
d2 = DerivedClass2()

d2.super_method()  # Output: "Super Class method called"

d2.derived1_method()  # Output: "Derived class 1 method called"

d2.derived2_method()  # Output: "Derived class 2 method called"

Output

Super Class method called
Derived class 1 method called
Derived class 2 method called

In the above example, DerivedClass2 is derived from DerivedClass1, which is derived from SuperClass.

It means that DerivedClass2 inherits all the attributes and methods of both DerivedClass1 and SuperClass.

Hence, we are using d2 (object of DerivedClass2) to call methods from SuperClass, DerivedClass1, and DerivedClass2.

Method Resolution Order (MRO) in Python

If two superclasses have the same method name and the derived class calls that method, Python uses the MRO to search for the right method to call. For example,

class SuperClass1:
    def info(self):
        print("Super Class 1 method called")

class SuperClass2:
    def info(self):
        print("Super Class 2 method called")

class Derived(SuperClass1, SuperClass2):
    pass

d1 = Derived()
d1.info()  

# Output: "Super Class 1 method called"

Here, SuperClass1 and SuperClass2 both of these classes define a method info().

So when info() is called using the d1 object of the Derived class, Python uses the MRO to determine which method to call.

In this case, the MRO specifies that methods should be inherited from the leftmost superclass first, so info() of SuperClass1 is called rather than that of SuperClass2.