Object Oriented Programming Questions Medium
Composition and inheritance are two fundamental concepts in object-oriented programming that allow for code reuse and building relationships between classes.
Composition refers to the concept of creating complex objects by combining simpler objects or components. In composition, a class is composed of one or more instances of other classes, forming a "has-a" relationship. The composed objects are typically created and managed by the class that contains them. This means that if the containing class is destroyed, the composed objects are also destroyed. Composition allows for greater flexibility and modularity as it enables the creation of complex objects by combining smaller, reusable components.
Inheritance, on the other hand, is a mechanism that allows a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class. Inheritance establishes an "is-a" relationship between classes, where a subclass inherits the characteristics of its superclass. The subclass can extend or modify the inherited properties and behaviors, and it can also add new ones. Inheritance promotes code reuse and allows for the creation of class hierarchies, where subclasses inherit and specialize the functionality of their superclasses.
The main difference between composition and inheritance lies in the relationship between classes. Composition focuses on creating objects by combining simpler components, while inheritance focuses on creating subclasses that inherit and extend the properties and behaviors of their superclasses. Composition is typically more flexible and modular, as it allows for dynamic changes in the composition of objects. In contrast, inheritance establishes a more rigid hierarchy and can lead to a more tightly coupled codebase. Both composition and inheritance have their own advantages and should be used based on the specific requirements and design goals of the application.