concept

Mixin

A mixin is a programming concept that allows classes to inherit methods and properties from multiple sources, enabling code reuse and composition without traditional single inheritance. It is commonly implemented in object-oriented languages like Ruby, Python, and JavaScript to add functionality to classes dynamically. Mixins promote modularity by separating concerns into reusable components that can be combined as needed.

Also known as: Mix-in, Mixin class, Trait (in some contexts), Module (in Ruby), Multiple inheritance helper

🧊Why learn Mixin?

Developers should learn mixins when working in languages that support multiple inheritance or composition, such as Ruby or Python, to avoid code duplication and create flexible, maintainable designs. They are particularly useful in scenarios like adding logging, validation, or utility methods to multiple classes without creating deep inheritance hierarchies, making them ideal for building modular libraries and frameworks.