Which benefit does inheritance provide in object-oriented programming?

Inheritance in object-oriented programming allows classes to inherit properties and behaviors (methods) from other classes, enabling a hierarchical relationship between classes. This relationship facilitates the reuse of code, which is often referred to as "code reuse." By creating a new class (the subclass or derived class) that inherits from an existing class (the superclass or base class), developers can implement common functionality in the base class and then extend or override this functionality in the derived class as needed.

The primary benefit of this mechanism is the reduction of duplicate code. Instead of having similar or identical code scattered across multiple classes, the shared functionality can be centralized in a single base class. As a result, any changes to the shared code need only be made in one location, enhancing maintainability, reducing the chance of introducing bugs, and simplifying future enhancements. This leads to more efficient code organization and a clearer structure.

In contrast, increased complexity, lower levels of abstraction, and faster execution time do not accurately reflect the core advantages offered by inheritance. In fact, when used appropriately, inheritance can reduce complexity by promoting a well-structured hierarchy and maximizing code efficiency.