Inheritance

If objects can be made based on the descriptions of a class then inheritance is making another class from a class. The child class is said to inherit the properties and structures of the parent class. If another class is formed from the child class then it may be called the grandchild class. The grandchild class will also inherit the properties and structures of the previous class. Newly made classes may or may not inherit certain characteristics of the original class. This decision is left up to the programmer.

Think of inheritance in terms of traits. For example, think of all the living beings on earth. After that, from living beings, break it down to animals and plants. Both animals and plants are living beings. They inherit that trait. Break down animals into mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. All of these creatures are animals. They inherit the said trait. From mammals, break it down further into people. All people are animals. They inherit this trait. In our Visual Basic Editor, recall the equation "People = Boys + Girls" wherein both boys and girls inherit the traits of people.