[Tutor] Hiding Superclass Methods

[Denis Gomes]

Thank you both for your responses.  I do have one other question if I use
the method both of you describe. How do I go about implementing slicing and
indexing for an object in python?  A list object innately has them and that
is really why I wanted to use it.  I would appreciate it if you can point me
to something.

Denis

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 4:13 AM, Alan Gauld <alan.gauld at btinternet.com>wrote:

>
> "Denis Gomes" <denisg640 at gmail.com> wrote
>
>
>  I have a basic python question.  I am writing an n dimensional vector
>> class by inheriting from the builtin python list object.  I want to be
>> able to hide the parent object's methods in the derived class instances.
>>
>
> Doing so would break the Liskofff Substitution Principle which says
> you should be able to use your subclass anywhere that the parent
> class can be used. This is a very bad thing!
>
> If you want to expose a reduced set of operations, rather than an
> extended set, then inheritance is the wriong solution. You should
> consider using delegation instead. Create a list indside your class
> and forward any requests for the operations you do want to the
> list object.
>
> The only snag with delegation in this scenartio is that you have
> to write an awful lot of one-liner methods. To get round that
> you can use setattr() and getattr() combined with a list of allowed
> operation names. Check the operation is in the list and then
> forward the request by name. That can save a lot of coding!
>
> HTH,
>
>
> --
> Alan Gauld
> Author of the Learn to Program web site
> http://www.alan-g.me.uk/
>
>
>
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