Super / Parent Class Calls

In C++, there is no super keyword (unlike Java). Instead, you use the parent class name directly to call parent class methods or constructors.

1. Calling Parent Constructor

class Animal {
    string name;
public:
    Animal(string n) : name(n) {
        cout << "Animal constructor: " << name << endl;
    }
};

class Dog : public Animal {
    string breed;
public:
    Dog(string n, string b) : Animal(n), breed(b) { // calling parent constructor
        cout << "Dog constructor: " << breed << endl;
    }
};
// Output:
// Animal constructor: Bruno
// Dog constructor: Labrador

Parent constructor is called via initializer list using Animal(n).

2. Calling Parent Method

class Dog : public Animal {
public:
    void sound() {
        Animal::sound(); // calling parent method explicitly
        cout << "Dog barks" << endl;
    }
};
// Output:
// Animal makes a sound
// Dog barks

Use ParentClassName::methodName() to call the parent method.

3. Default vs Parameterized Constructor

• If parent has a default constructor, it is called automatically — no need to explicitly call it.
• If parent has a parameterized constructor, you must call it explicitly via initializer list.

Common Mistake

class Animal {
public:
    Animal(string name) { ... } // parameterized — no default!
};

class Dog : public Animal {
public:
    Dog() { ... }                  // ERROR — parent has no default constructor
    Dog() : Animal("Bruno") { ... } // CORRECT
};

C++ vs Java vs Python Comparison

	C++	Java	Python
Keyword	No keyword	super	super()
Call parent constructor	Parent(args) in initializer list	super(args)	super().__init__()
Call parent method	Parent::method()	super.method()	super().method()

Key Points

Point	Detail
No super keyword	Use parent class name directly
Constructor call	Via initializer list Parent(args)
Method call	Via Parent::method() scope resolution
Default constructor	Called automatically
Parameterized constructor	Must call explicitly

One-liner: "C++ has no super keyword — parent constructors are called via initializer list and parent methods via ParentClass::method() scope resolution operator."