How is the 'super()' keyword implemented and what does it do in object-oriented programming?

In Python, the keyword super() is used to call methods of a parent class from a child class. This is especially useful when overriding methods, as it allows you to extend or modify the behavior of the base class without rewriting it entirely.

super() returns a proxy object that delegates method calls to the parent class, enabling you to access its methods without explicitly specifying the class name. This simplifies maintenance and extension of the code, especially in cases of multiple inheritance.

Example:

class Animal:
    def speak(self):
        print("Animal makes a sound")

class Dog(Animal):
    def speak(self):
        super().speak()  # call to parent method
        print("Woof woof")

dog = Dog()
dog.speak()

Output:

Animal makes a sound
Woof woof

Thus, super() helps in calling methods of the base class, ensuring correct behavior in inheritance.