What is the Difference Between Superclass and Subclass?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a superclass and a subclass is their position in the inheritance hierarchy in object-oriented programming.
- Superclass: A superclass, also known as a base class or parent class, is the existing class from which new classes are derived. It provides the existing properties and methods that can be inherited by the subclass. The superclass serves as the parent class for all its subclasses, and it can be a direct or indirect ancestor of other classes.
- Subclass: A subclass, also known as a derived class, extended class, or child class, is a class that is derived from another class (the superclass). It inherits properties and methods from its superclass and can also add new properties and methods of its own. The subclass can choose to use, modify, or override the inherited properties and methods from its superclass.
In summary, a superclass is the class from which subclasses are derived, and it provides the properties and methods that can be inherited by the subclass. On the other hand, a subclass is a class that inherits properties and methods from its superclass and can also add new properties and methods of its own. The subclass can choose to use, modify, or override the inherited properties and methods from its superclass. The idea of inheritance is simple but powerful, and it helps to make the program more manageable.
Comparative Table: Superclass vs Subclass
Here is a table comparing the differences between a superclass and a subclass:
| Superclass | Subclass |
|---|---|
| Higher-level entity from which subclasses are derived | Lower-level entity that inherits attributes and relationships from the superclass |
| Also known as parent class or base class | Also known as derived class or child class |
| Cannot use the properties and methods of the subclass | Can use the properties and methods of the superclass |
| Existing class in the inheritance hierarchy | Newly created class that inherits properties and methods from the superclass |
| In single-level inheritance, the superclass is A, and the subclass is B | In single-level inheritance, a subclass has a single superclass |
| In hierarchical inheritance, the superclass is A, and the subclasses are B and C | In hierarchical inheritance, there are multiple subclasses inheriting from a single superclass |
| In multiple inheritance, there are multiple superclasses, and the subclass is A | In multiple inheritance, a subclass inherits properties and methods from multiple superclasses |
In summary, a superclass is a higher-level entity that serves as the basis for deriving new classes, called subclasses. Subclasses inherit attributes and relationships from the superclass and can also have their own specific attributes and relationships.
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