Basic Syntax

The fundamental syntax for implementing the super() function is as follows:

super().__init__(args)

In this instance, __init__ is a special method utilized in Python classes to act as a constructor. When an instance of a class is created, the __init__ method is automatically executed, and you can supply arguments to it for initializing the object's attributes.

Practical Examples

To further comprehend the super() function, let’s examine some practical examples.

Example 1: Simple Inheritance

class Vehicle:

def __init__(self, brand, model):

self.brand = brand

self.model = model

def display(self):

print(f"Brand: {self.brand}, Model: {self.model}")

class Car(Vehicle):

def __init__(self, brand, model, year):

super().__init__(brand, model)

self.year = year

def display(self):

super().display()

print(f"Year: {self.year}")

my_car = Car("Toyota", "Camry", 2022)

my_car.display()

Output:

Brand: Toyota, Model: Camry

Year: 2022

In this example, the Car class inherits from the Vehicle class. When an instance of the Car class is created, we call super().__init__(brand, model) to initialize the inherited attributes from the parent class. We then add our own year attribute.

In the display() method, we first invoke super().display() to print the brand and model, followed by printing the year.

Example 2: Multiple Inheritance

class Mammal:

def __init__(self, mammal_name):

print(mammal_name, 'is a warm-blooded animal.')

class MarineAnimal:

def __init__(self, marine_name):

print(marine_name, 'can swim.')

class Whale(Mammal, MarineAnimal):

def __init__(self):

print('Whale is a huge marine mammal.')

Mammal.__init__(self, 'Whale')

MarineAnimal.__init__(self, 'Whale')

blue_whale = Whale()

Output:

Whale is a huge marine mammal.

Whale is a warm-blooded animal.

Whale can swim.

In this case, the Whale class inherits from both the Mammal and MarineAnimal classes. When an instance of the Whale class is created, we explicitly call the __init__ methods of both parent classes using their respective class names. This is necessary in multiple inheritance scenarios, as the super() function can only invoke the __init__ method of one parent class.

These examples will provide you with a solid foundation in how the super() function operates in Python and how it can be applied in various inheritance contexts. By mastering this function, you will be equipped to write more efficient and maintainable code while harnessing the benefits of object-oriented programming in Python.