Python: How do I make a subclass from a superclass?

Question

In Python, how do you make a subclass from a superclass?

Answer 1

class Subclass (SuperClass):
      # Subclass stuff here

Answer 2

class Class1(object):
    pass

class Class2(Class1):
    pass

Class2 is a sub-class of Class1

Answer 3

You use:

class DerivedClassName(BaseClassName):

For details, see the Python docs, section 9.5.

Answer 4

class MySubClass(MySuperClass):
    def __init__(self):
        MySuperClass.__init__(self)

The section on inheritance in the python documentation explains it in more detail

Answer 5

class Mammal(object): 
#mammal stuff

class Dog(Mammal): 
#doggie stuff

Answer 6

Subclassing in Python is done as follows:

class WindowElement:
    def print(self):
        pass

class Button(WindowElement):
    def print(self):
        pass

Here is a tutorial about Python that also contains classes and subclasses.

Answer 7

A heroic little example:

class SuperHero(object): #superclass, inherits from default object
    def getName(self):
        raise NotImplementedError #you want to override this on the child classes

class SuperMan(SuperHero): #subclass, inherits from SuperHero
    def getName(self):
        return "Clark Kent"

class SuperManII(SuperHero): #another subclass
    def getName(self):
       return "Clark Kent, Jr."

if __name__ == "__main__":
    sm = SuperMan()
    print sm.getName()
    sm2 = SuperManII()
    print sm2.getName()

Answer 8

The use of "super" (see Python Built-in, super) may be a slightly better method of calling the parent for initialization:

# Initialize using Parent
#
class MySubClass(MySuperClass):
    def __init__(self):
        MySuperClass.__init__(self)

# Better initialize using Parent (less redundant).
#
class MySubClassBetter(MySuperClass):
    def __init__(self):
        super(MySubClassBetter, self).__init__()