What is super() in Python?

The super() function in Python makes class inheritance more manageable and extensible. The function returns a temporary object that allows reference to a parent class by the keyword super.

The super() function has two major use cases:

To avoid the usage of the super (parent) class explicitly.
To enable multiple inheritances.

class Computer():
    def __init__(self, computer, ram, storage):
        self.computer = computer
        self.ram = ram
        self.storage = storage
# Class Mobile inherits Computer
class Mobile(Computer):
    def __init__(self, computer, ram, storage, model):
        super().__init__(computer, ram, storage)
        self.model = model
Apple = Mobile('Apple', 2, 64, 'iPhone X')
print('The mobile is:', Apple.computer)
print('The RAM is:', Apple.ram)
print('The storage is:', Apple.storage)
print('The model is:', Apple.model)

In the example above, Computer is a super (parent) class, while Mobile is a derived (child) class. The usage of the super keyword in line $10$ allows the child class to access the parent class’s init() property.

In other words, super() allows you to build classes that easily extend the functionality of previously built classes without implementing their functionality again.

Multiple inheritances

The following example shows how the Super() function is used to implement multiple inheritances:

class Animal:
  def __init__(self, animalName):
    print(animalName, 'is an animal.');
# Mammal inherits Animal
class Mammal(Animal):
  def __init__(self, mammalName):
    print(mammalName, 'is a mammal.')
    super().__init__(mammalName)
    
# CannotFly inherits Mammal
class CannotFly(Mammal):
  def __init__(self, mammalThatCantFly):
    print(mammalThatCantFly, "cannot fly.")
    super().__init__(mammalThatCantFly)
# CannotSwim inherits Mammal
class CannotSwim(Mammal):
  def __init__(self, mammalThatCantSwim):
    print(mammalThatCantSwim, "cannot swim.")
    super().__init__(mammalThatCantSwim)
# Cat inherits CannotSwim and CannotFly
class Cat(CannotSwim, CannotFly):
  def __init__(self):
    print('I am a cat.');
    super().__init__('Cat')
# Driver code
cat = Cat()
print('')
bat = CannotSwim('Bat')

Consider the Cat class’s instantiation on line $30$ ; the following is the order of events that occur after it:

The Cat class is called first.
The CannotSwim parent class is called since it appears before CannotFly in the order of inheritance; this follows Python’s Method Resolution Order (MRO) which outlines the order in which methods are inherited.
The CannotFly class is called.
The Mammal class is called.
Finally, the Animal class is called.

Next, consider the bat object. Bats are flying mammals, but they cannot swim, which is why it is instantiated with the CannotSwim class. The super function in the CannotSwim class invokes the Mammal class’s constructor after it. The Mammal class then invokes the Animal class’s constructor.

What is super() in Python?

Code

Single inheritance

Multiple inheritances

What is super() in Python?

Code

Single inheritance

Multiple inheritances​

Multiple inheritances