What is the use of the "super" function in Python?

Question

Jayant Kumar · Accepted Answer

Table of Contants
Introduction
The super function in Python is a built-in function that allows you to call methods from a parent class within a child class. This is particularly useful for extending or modifying functionality in subclasses while maintaining access to the methods of the base class. The super function plays a crucial role in inheritance and method overriding.

How the super Function Works
The super function returns a temporary object of the superclass that allows you to call its methods. This is useful for accessing methods from the parent class without explicitly naming it, which supports better code maintenance and multiple inheritance scenarios.
Syntax:
super().method(arguments)

**super()**: Returns a proxy object representing the superclass.
**method**: The method you want to call from the superclass.
**arguments**: Arguments to be passed to the superclass method.

Example with Method Overriding:
class Parent:
    def __init__(self):
        print("Parent __init__")

def greet(self):
        print("Hello from Parent")

class Child(Parent):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__()
        print("Child __init__")

def greet(self):
        super().greet()
        print("Hello from Child")

obj = Child()
obj.greet()

Output:
Parent __init__
Child __init__
Hello from Parent
Hello from Child

In this example, super().__init__() is used in the Child class to call the __init__ method from the Parent class. Similarly, super().greet() is used in the greet method of Child to call the greet method of Parent.

Key Uses of the super Function

Extending Functionality: Use super to extend or modify the behavior of methods in a subclass while preserving the functionality of the parent class methods.
Avoiding Explicit Parent Class References: super helps in avoiding hardcoding the parent class name, which makes the code more flexible and easier to maintain, especially in complex inheritance hierarchies.
Supporting Multiple Inheritance: In cases of multiple inheritance, super ensures that the method resolution order (MRO) is followed correctly, calling methods from the appropriate parent classes.

Example with Multiple Inheritance:
class A:
    def greet(self):
        print("Hello from A")

class B(A):
    def greet(self):
        super().greet()
        print("Hello from B")

class C(A):
    def greet(self):
        super().greet()
        print("Hello from C")

class D(B, C):
    def greet(self):
        super().greet()
        print("Hello from D")

obj = D()
obj.greet()

Output:
Hello from A
Hello from C
Hello from B
Hello from D

In this example, super handles method resolution across multiple inheritance paths, ensuring that each class's greet method is called in the correct order.

Conclusion
The super function in Python is a powerful tool for working with inheritance and method overriding. By using super, you can extend or modify the functionality of parent class methods, avoid hardcoding parent class names, and support complex inheritance scenarios with multiple base classes.

What is the use of the "super" function in Python?

Table of Contants

Introduction

How the `super` Function Works

Syntax:

Example with Method Overriding:

Key Uses of the `super` Function

Example with Multiple Inheritance:

Conclusion

Similar Questions