When should I use composition instead of inheritance?

When should I use composition instead of inheritance?

Composition is often preferred when you want to create flexible and reusable components. It allows you to combine behaviors from different classes without being tightly coupled.

Can you give me an example of composition in action?

Sure! Imagine you have a Car class and a Engine class. Instead of inheriting from Engine, you can compose Car with an Engine instance, allowing you to easily swap out different engine types.

What are the advantages of using composition?

Composition promotes code reuse, reduces dependencies, and makes it easier to change or extend functionality without affecting other parts of the code.

Are there any downsides to using composition?

One downside is that it can lead to more complex code structures, as you may need to manage multiple objects and their interactions.