search
Search
Login
Unlock 100+ guides
menu
menu
web
search toc
close
Outline
Comments
Log in or sign up
Cancel
Post
account_circle
Profile
exit_to_app
Sign out
What does this mean?
Why is this true?
Give me some examples!
search
keyboard_voice
close
Searching Tips
Search for a recipe:
"Creating a table in MySQL"
Search for an API documentation: "@append"
Search for code: "!dataframe"
Apply a tag filter: "#python"
Useful Shortcuts
/ to open search panel
Esc to close search panel
to navigate between search results
d to clear all current filters
Enter to expand content preview
icon_star
Doc Search
icon_star
Code Search Beta
SORRY NOTHING FOUND!
mic
Start speaking...
Voice search is only supported in Safari and Chrome.
Navigate to

Calling a Parent Class's method from Child Class in Python

schedule Aug 12, 2023
Last updated
local_offer
Python
Tags
tocTable of Contents
expand_more
mode_heat
Master the mathematics behind data science with 100+ top-tier guides
Start your free 7-days trial now!

This can be done using the super() method for new-style classesopen_in_new.

Example

To create a child class Dog based on the parent class Animal and then call the print_attribute method:

class Animal():
# This is constructor for python
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name

def print_attribute(self):
print("I have legs!")

class Dog(Animal): # Name of the parent class must be included within the brackets
# This is constructor for python
def __init__(self, name, age):
super().__init__(name, age) # Notice how we do not need self parameter here

my_dog = Dog("Roxas", 26)
my_dog.print_attribute()
I have legs!

The super() method allows us to reference a temporary object of the parent class. Therefore, when we initialize an object from child class Dog, we are actually calling the __init__ constructor from parent class Animal and hence we are able to inherit all attributes and methods from it.

NOTE

The advantage of super() is that it allows us to avoid explicitly referring to the parent class. Therefore, we can easily change the parent class name if needed without disrupting our program.

robocat
Published by Arthur Yanagisawa
Edited by 0 others
Did you find this page useful?
thumb_up
thumb_down
Comment
Citation
Ask a question or leave a feedback...
thumb_up
0
thumb_down
0
chat_bubble_outline
0
settings
Enjoy our search
Hit / to insta-search docs and recipes!