When should I use inheritance over composition?

Use inheritance for 'is-a' relationships where a subclass is a truly specialized version of a base class. Use composition for 'has-a' relationships to build complex objects from smaller, interchangeable components to increase flexibility.

What is the Template Method pattern mentioned in the skill?

It is a design pattern where a base class defines the fixed skeleton of an algorithm while delegating specific steps to subclasses, allowing them to redefine behavior without changing the overall algorithm structure.

Which programming languages are covered by this skill?

The skill provides detailed patterns and idiomatic examples for Java, Python, and TypeScript, covering the nuances of OOP in each specific language environment.

How does this skill improve code maintainability?

By providing clear patterns for composition, it helps prevent 'Fragile Base Class' issues and deep inheritance chains that are notoriously difficult to modify, test, or extend over time.

OOP Inheritance & Composition

Name: OOP Inheritance & Composition
Author: TheBushidoCollective

byTheBushidoCollective

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Developer Tools

Guides developers in choosing and implementing inheritance or composition patterns for scalable object-oriented software.

About

This skill provides Claude with expert knowledge on Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) design patterns, specifically focusing on the critical trade-offs between class inheritance and object composition. It offers comprehensive, multi-language implementation patterns for Java, Python, and TypeScript, enabling Claude to assist in building flexible class hierarchies, implementing template methods, and creating modular systems using component-based design. Whether refactoring complex legacy code or architecting a new system from scratch, this skill ensures your software architecture follows professional principles for maintainability and extensibility.

Key Features

Multi-language support including Java, Python, and TypeScript
Component-based architecture strategies using interfaces
Best practices for the Template Method design pattern
39 GitHub stars
Implementation patterns for Abstract Base Classes and Hook methods
Guidelines for choosing between 'is-a' and 'has-a' relationships

Use Cases

Refactoring rigid inheritance trees into flexible composition patterns
Defining standardized business logic skeletons with specialized implementations
Architecting class hierarchies for complex domain models

About

Key Features

Multi-language support including Java, Python, and TypeScript
Component-based architecture strategies using interfaces
Best practices for the Template Method design pattern
39 GitHub stars
Implementation patterns for Abstract Base Classes and Hook methods
Guidelines for choosing between 'is-a' and 'has-a' relationships

Use Cases

Refactoring rigid inheritance trees into flexible composition patterns
Defining standardized business logic skeletons with specialized implementations
Architecting class hierarchies for complex domain models