does python support overriding

Does Python Support Overriding?

Yes, Python supports method overriding. Method overriding is the ability of a subclass to provide a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. This allows a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method that is already provided by its superclass.

How Does Overriding Work in Python?

In Python, method overriding is achieved by defining a method in the subclass with the same name as the method in the superclass. When the method is called on an object of the subclass, the implementation of the method in the subclass is called instead of the implementation in the superclass.

Here is an example:

class Animal:
    def make_sound(self):
        print("The animal makes a sound")

class Dog(Animal):
    def make_sound(self):
        print("The dog barks")

a = Animal()
a.make_sound()

d = Dog()
d.make_sound()

In this example, we have defined two classes: Animal and Dog. Dog is a subclass of Animal. Both classes have a method called make_sound(). In the superclass, Animal, the method prints out "The animal makes a sound". In the subclass, Dog, the method prints out "The dog barks".

When we create an instance of Animal and call make_sound(), we get "The animal makes a sound". When we create an instance of Dog and call make_sound(), we get "The dog barks". This is because the implementation of make_sound() in the subclass, Dog, overrides the implementation in the superclass, Animal.

Can Overriding Be Done for Built-in Functions?

Yes, it is possible to override built-in functions in Python. However, it is generally not recommended to do so, as it can lead to unexpected behavior and make code harder to understand and maintain.

Here is an example:

def print(message):
    print("The message is: " + message)

print("Hello, world!")

In this example, we have defined a function called print() that takes a string argument and prints out "The message is: " followed by the string. When we call print("Hello, world!"), we get the following output:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "example.py", line 4, in <module>
    print("Hello, world!")
TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not callable

This error occurs because we have overridden the built-in print() function with our own implementation. To avoid this error, it is best to use a different name for our function.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Python supports method overriding, which allows a subclass to provide a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. Overriding can also be done for built-in functions, but it is generally not recommended.