Types of Inheritance
Inheritance in object-oriented programming can be categorized into different types based on how properties and behaviors are inherited:
- Single Inheritance: A subclass inherits from only one superclass.
- Multiple Inheritance: A subclass inherits from multiple superclasses. (Not supported in many programming languages, including Java, due to complexities and potential ambiguities.)
- Multilevel Inheritance: A subclass inherits from another subclass, creating a hierarchical chain of inheritance.
- Hierarchical Inheritance: Multiple subclasses inherit from the same superclass, forming a hierarchical structure.
- Hybrid Inheritance: A combination of multiple and multilevel inheritance.
Generalization in OOAD
The concept of Generalization in OOAD is a powerful mechanism that enables abstraction, reusability, and the creation of flexible and maintainable software architectures. Generalization is the process of extracting common characteristics from a set of classes and abstracting them into a more general superclass or interface.
Important Topics for Generalization in OOAD
- What is Generalization?
- Importance of Generalization in OOAD
- Generalization vs. Specialization
- UML Notation for Generalization with example
- Types of Inheritance
- Real-world Example of Generalization
- Role of Generalization in Design Patterns
- Benefits of Generalization in OOAD
- Challenges of Generalization in OOAD