What are the best practices for using inheritance in Python?

What are the best practices for using inheritance in Python?

When using inheritance in Python, it's important to follow a few best practices: 1. Prefer composition over inheritance. 2. Use clear and descriptive names for your classes. 3. Keep the inheritance hierarchy shallow. 4. Override methods carefully and ensure they maintain the expected behavior.

Can you explain why composition is preferred over inheritance?

Composition is often preferred because it promotes flexibility and reusability. It allows you to build complex types by combining simpler ones, which can lead to more maintainable code. Inheritance can create tight coupling between classes, making changes more difficult.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid with inheritance?

Common pitfalls include creating deep inheritance hierarchies, which can make code hard to understand, and using inheritance for code reuse instead of behavior extension. Also, be cautious with method overriding, as it can lead to unexpected behavior if not done carefully.

How can I determine when to use inheritance?

Use inheritance when there is a clear 'is-a' relationship between the parent and child classes. If the relationship is more about 'has-a' or 'uses-a', consider using composition instead.