Notes on using Python super()

Using super() in Python can be a bit tricky, especially when you are mixing it with explicit class calls. Here are a few notes to keep in mind when using super():

Always pass the subclass name and the instance to super() as arguments: When you call super() in a method of a subclass, you should always pass the name of the subclass and the instance to the function as arguments. This ensures that super() returns the correct temporary object of the superclass.
Mixing super() with explicit class calls can lead to unexpected behavior: When you mix super() with explicit calls to methods in the parent class, you can sometimes get unexpected behavior. This is because super() and explicit calls to methods in the parent class use different method resolution orders (MROs). To avoid this, you should generally use one approach consistently throughout your code.
Different types of parameters in Python: When defining methods in a class, you can use three different types of parameters: instance parameters (which start with self), class parameters (which start with the class name), and static parameters (which don't take any special prefix). When you call a method, you should always pass the correct type of parameter. Instance methods take an instance parameter, class methods take a class parameter, and static methods take no special parameter.

Here's an example of how to use super() correctly in Python:

class Parent:
    def __init__(self, value):
        self.value = value

    def double_value(self):
        return self.value * 2

class Child(Parent):
    def __init__(self, value, double_value):
        super(Child, self).__init__(value)
        self.double_value = double_value

    def double_value(self):
        return super(Child, self).double_value() * self.double_value

my_object = Child(10, 20)
print(my_object.value)  # Output: 10
print(my_object.double_value())  # Output: 400

In this example, we define a class called Parent with an __init__ method and a double_value method. We then define a class called Child that inherits from Parent. The __init__ method of Child calls the __init__ method of Parent using super(Child, self).__init__(value), passing the value argument to it. The __init__ method of Child also initializes the double_value attribute of the instance with the value passed as an argument.

We then override the double_value method of Parent in Child and call the double_value method of Parent using super(Child, self).double_value(), and then multiply the result by the double_value attribute of the instance.

We then create an instance of the Child class with a value of 10 and a double_value of 20. We print the value and double_value attributes of the instance, which are 10 and 20, respectively. We also call the double_value method of the instance, which returns 400.

Note that we pass the subclass name and the instance to super() as arguments, and we use the correct type of parameter (self) when calling the double_value method.

In summary, using super() in Python can be a bit tricky, but if you keep these notes in mind, you should be able to use it effectively.

How to use super() in Python classes:

Description: super() is used to refer to the parent class and invoke its methods. It is commonly used in method overriding to extend or modify the behavior of the parent class.

Code:

class ParentClass:
    def method(self):
        print("Parent method")

class ChildClass(ParentClass):
    def method(self):
        super().method()
        print("Child method")

# Using super() in Python classes
child_obj = ChildClass()
child_obj.method()

super() with no arguments vs super(type, self):

Description: super() with no arguments automatically determines the calling class and instance, while super(type, self) allows specifying the class and instance explicitly.

Code:

class ParentClass:
    def method(self):
        print("Parent method")

class ChildClass(ParentClass):
    def method(self):
        # Both forms of super() are equivalent in this case
        super().method()
        super(ChildClass, self).method()

# Using super() with no arguments vs super(type, self)
child_obj = ChildClass()
child_obj.method()