Multiple Inheritance - EduardoMSU/OOP-2143 GitHub Wiki

Multiple Inheritance in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

What is Multiple Inheritance?

Multiple Inheritance is a feature of object-oriented programming where a class can inherit properties and behaviors (methods) from more than one parent class. This allows a subclass to inherit characteristics from multiple classes, promoting code reuse and modularity.

Key Characteristics of Multiple Inheritance

Characteristic Description
Inheritance from Multiple Classes A subclass can inherit from more than one superclass, allowing it to combine functionalities from multiple sources.
Increased Code Reusability Methods and attributes from multiple base classes can be reused in the derived class, reducing code duplication.
Diamond Problem A potential problem in multiple inheritance where an ambiguity arises if two parent classes have methods or properties with the same name.
Constructor Inheritance The derived class may inherit constructors from multiple base classes, requiring careful management to avoid conflicts.
Access to Multiple Parent Features A derived class has access to the methods and properties of all its parent classes, enabling more complex behavior.

Syntax for Multiple Inheritance in C++

Example of Multiple Inheritance

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Base class 1
class Animal {
public:
    void eat() {
        cout << "This animal eats food." << endl;
    }
};

// Base class 2
class Vehicle {
public:
    void drive() {
        cout << "This vehicle drives on roads." << endl;
    }
};

// Derived class inheriting from both Animal and Vehicle
class Car : public Animal, public Vehicle {
public:
    void showDetails() {
        cout << "Car details: Animal and Vehicle functionalities combined!" << endl;
    }
};

int main() {
    Car myCar;

    myCar.eat();      // From Animal class
    myCar.drive();    // From Vehicle class
    myCar.showDetails();  // From Car class

    return 0;
}
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