Multiple inheritance lets a class derive from two or more parent classes. Python uses it to combine related behaviors, often through small mixins that act like interfaces. This can avoid a deep hierarchy, while composition remains a better fit for has-a relationships. section 3.5
Combining behavior with mixins
A Dog can inherit from SpeakMixin and RollOverMixin, gaining both speak() and roll_over() without placing every possible animal trick in one hierarchy. section 3.5
When parents define the same method, Python follows the method resolution order (MRO). It searches classes in a calculated order, and super() continues that search rather than simply calling one fixed parent. Inspect the result with Class.__mro__. section 8.3.3
Liger and method resolution
Liger inherits from Lion and Tiger. Its super().eats() call finds Lion first, then Liger adds more prey to the returned list. The resulting order follows Liger, Lion, Tiger, BigCat, and object. section 8.3.3
Listing 3.4. Multiple inheritance providing interface-like behavior
class SpeakMixin: #1
def speak(self):
name = self.__class__.__name__.lower()
print(f'The {name} says, "Hello!"')
class RollOverMixin: #2
def roll_over(self):
print('Did a barrel roll!')
class Dog(SpeakMixin, RollOverMixin): #3
pass
Use the short Python listing to see interface-like behavior assembled from two mixins. section 3.5
