# Specialization

*noun*

say it: **“spesh-uh-lih-ZAY-shun”** **/ˌspɛʃəlɪˈzeɪʃən/**

Giving each derived class only what makes it different from its base class.

## What is **Specialization**?

**Specialization** — The other direction from generalization: each derived class adds only what makes it different. A `Book` adds an author and a `Magazine` adds an issue number, while both inherit title and price from `LibraryItem`.

## In a sentence

- “Through **specialization**, Ebook adds only a file size to what Book already has.”

Level: Journeyman · [More OOP terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary?category=oop&level=3)

Updated: October 28, 2026

## In other subjects

- [Specialization in Database](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/specialization)

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/specialization-oop