What is the purpose of using super in class initializer?

Question

I was reading some Python code in a private repository on GitHub and found a class resembling the one below:

class Point(object):
    '''Models a point in 2D space. '''

    def __init__(self, x, y):
        super(Point, self).__init__()
        self.x = x
        self.y = y

    # some methods

    def __repr__(self):
        return 'Point({}, {})'.format(self.x, self.y)

I do understand the importance and advantages of using the keyword super while initialising classes. Personally, I find the first statement in the __init__ to be redundant as all the Python classes inherit from object. So, I want to know what are the advantages(if any) of initializing a Point object using super when inheriting from the base object class in Python ?

Some might claim it's safer for multiple inheritance, but slapping `super().__init__()` at the top of your `__init__` isn't nearly enough to ensure safe, correct behavior in a multiple inheritance situation; for example, the necessary arguments aren't likely to reach the `__init__` methods that need them. Multiple inheritance is *hard*. — user2357112, Jun 19 '17 at 18:42

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 19 '17 at 18:41

There is none in this particular case as object.__init__() is an empty method. However, if you were to inherit from something else, or if you were to use multiple inheritance, call to the super.__init__() would ensure that your classes get properly initialized (assuming of course they depend on initialization from their parent classes). Without that Python's MRO cannot do its magic, for example.

What is the purpose of using super in class initializer?

1 Answers1