[Solved] In a language that supports multiple inheritance with MRO, what happens if two parent classes define a... How does the MRO affect which method is called when the child class method calls super()? | OOP & Design Patterns

OOP & Design Patterns - Inheritance - Types, Method Resolution Order & Diamond Problem

In a language that supports multiple inheritance with MRO, what happens if two parent classes define a method with the same name, but one parent class inherits from the other (forming a diamond), and the child class overrides that method? How does the MRO affect which method is called when the child class method calls super()?

Asuper() follows the MRO linearization, calling the next method in the MRO sequence, which may skip some classes.

Bsuper() calls the method from the immediate parent class only, ignoring the diamond structure.

Csuper() calls all parent methods with the same name in parallel, combining their effects.

Dsuper() always calls the method from the base class at the top of the diamond first.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand super() in multiple inheritance
super() does not simply call the immediate parent but follows the MRO linearization.
Step 2: MRO linearization
MRO creates a linear order of classes to avoid ambiguity and duplication, so super() calls the next method in this order.
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options
super() calls the method from the immediate parent class only, ignoring the diamond structure is incorrect because super() is not limited to immediate parent. super() calls all parent methods with the same name in parallel, combining their effects is wrong because super() does not call methods in parallel. super() always calls the method from the base class at the top of the diamond first is incorrect because super() does not always start at the base class.
Final Answer:
Option A -> Option A
Quick Check:
super() respects MRO linearization, ensuring consistent method calls in diamond inheritance.

Quick Trick: super() = next in MRO chain

Common Mistakes:

MISTAKES

Thinking super() calls only immediate parent
Believing super() calls all parents simultaneously
Assuming super() always calls base class first

Trap Explanation:

PITFALL

Options B, C, and D reflect naive or incorrect views of super(), while A correctly describes super() behavior in MRO context.

Interviewer Note:

CONTEXT

Tests expert understanding of super() and MRO interaction in complex inheritance.

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More OOP & Design Patterns Quizzes

How does the MRO affect which method is called when the child class method calls super()?

Step 1: Understand super() in multiple inheritance

Step 2: MRO linearization

Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options

Final Answer:

Quick Check:

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