What is Method Overriding?
Method overriding is a feature in object-oriented programming that allows a subclass to provide a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. In other words, the subclass can override the behavior of the method inherited from the superclass and provide its own implementation.
How Does Method Overriding Work?
In Python, method overriding is achieved by defining a method in the subclass with the same name as the method in the superclass. When an object of the subclass calls this method, the overridden version in the subclass is executed instead of the one in the superclass.
Example of Method Overriding
Let’s consider a simple example to understand method overriding in Python:
“`python
class Animal:
def make_sound(self):
print(“The animal makes a sound.”)
class Dog(Animal):
def make_sound(self):
print(“The dog barks.”)
class Cat(Animal):
def make_sound(self):
print(“The cat meows.”)
animal = Animal()
animal.make_sound() # Output: The animal makes a sound.
dog = Dog()
dog.make_sound() # Output: The dog barks.
cat = Cat()
cat.make_sound() # Output: The cat meows.
“`
In the above example, we have a base class called `Animal` with a method called `make_sound()`. The `Dog` and `Cat` classes are subclasses of `Animal` and they both override the `make_sound()` method with their own implementation.
When we create an object of the `Animal` class and call the `make_sound()` method, it prints “The animal makes a sound.” However, when we create objects of the `Dog` and `Cat` classes and call the `make_sound()` method, they print “The dog barks.” and “The cat meows.” respectively. This is because the overridden versions of the method in the subclasses are executed.
Advantages of Method Overriding
Method overriding allows for the following advantages:
- Polymorphism: Method overriding is a key feature of polymorphism in object-oriented programming. It allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of the same superclass, while still executing their own specific behavior.
- Code Reusability: Method overriding allows subclasses to reuse the methods defined in their superclasses. Instead of writing the same code again in the subclass, we can simply override the method and provide a different implementation.
- Flexibility: Method overriding provides flexibility in the design and structure of a program. It allows for customization and specialization of behavior in different subclasses, while maintaining a common interface in the superclass.
Conclusion
Method overriding is a powerful feature in Python that allows subclasses to provide their own implementation of a method inherited from a superclass. It enables polymorphism, code reusability, and flexibility in object-oriented programming. By understanding how method overriding works and using it effectively, you can create more robust and extensible code.