Override means defining a method in a subclass with the same name as an inherited method, but with a specialized implementation. Python also treats implementations of special methods such as __init__ and __str__ as overrides because every class ultimately inherits from object. section 8.4
Use overriding when a subclass needs behavior different from its superclass. Python does not require an override keyword: defining the same method name is sufficient. section 8.5.3
Apply overriding in several practical ways:
- Replace a superclass method completely with a subclass-specific implementation. section 8.5.3
- Extend inherited behavior by calling super().method() and then adding subclass-specific actions. section 8.5.3
- Customize an instance's displayed text by overriding __str__; return a descriptive str containing useful attributes. section 8.4.1
- Inspect method resolution order with Class.mro() when inheritance determines which implementation a method call uses. section 8.5.3
Specialized supervisor behavior
class Supervisor(Employee): def login(self): print(f"A supervisor {self.name} just logged in.") supervisor = Supervisor("John", "1001") supervisor.login() # output: A supervisor John just logged in. section 8.5.3
class Supervisor(Employee):
def logout(self):
super().logout()
print("Additional logout actions for a supervisor")
This listing demonstrates a partial override: the subclass preserves superclass logout behavior through super() before adding another action. section 8.5.3
