Object relationships in software design — which construct implements a “Like a / Kind of” relationship?

Introduction / Context:
Design relationships can be summarized as “Is a/Kind of” for inheritance and “Has a” for composition/aggregation. Correctly mapping requirements to these helps create maintainable models.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are distinguishing between ownership versus specialization relationships.

Concept / Approach:
“Like a” or “Kind of” indicates specialization/generalization. A Square is a kind of Rectangle (inheritance). Composition instead expresses part–whole (a Car has an Engine).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Class diagrams and Liskov Substitution Principle illustrate that a derived class is substitutable for its base — a hallmark of “kind of”.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They represent orthogonal concepts or the wrong relationship type.

Common Pitfalls:
Using inheritance where composition is more appropriate (leads to brittle designs).

Final Answer:
Inheritance