Update documentation

python/ql/src/Classes/SubclassShadowing.py

@@ -1,17 +1,9 @@
-class Mammal(object):
-
-    def __init__(self, milk = 0):
-        self.milk = milk
-
-
-class Cow(Mammal):
-
+class A:
     def __init__(self):
-        Mammal.__init__(self)
+        self._foo = 3
 
-    def milk(self):
-        return "Milk"
-
-#Cow().milk() will raise an error as Cow().milk is the 'milk' attribute
-#set in Mammal.__init__, not the 'milk' method defined on Cow.
+class B:
+    # BAD: _foo is shadowed by attribute A._foo
+    def _foo(self):
+        return 2
 

python/ql/src/Classes/SubclassShadowing.qhelp

@@ -3,25 +3,35 @@
   "qhelp.dtd">
 <qhelp>
 <overview>
-<p> Subclass shadowing occurs when an instance attribute of a superclass has the
-the same name as a method of a subclass, or vice-versa.
-The semantics of Python attribute look-up mean that the instance attribute of
-the superclass hides the method in the subclass.
+<p>
+When an object has an attribute that shares the same name a method on the object's class (or another class attribute), the instance attribute is 
+prioritized during attribute lookup, shadowing the method.  
+
+If a method on a subclass is shadowed by an attribute on a superclass in this way, this may lead to unexpected results or errors, as this
+shadowing behavior is nonlocal and may be unintended.
 </p>
 
 </overview>
 <recommendation>
 
-<p>Rename the method in the subclass or rename the attribute in the superclass.</p>
+<p>
+Ensure method names on subclasses don't conflict with attribute names on superclasses, and rename one.  
+If the shadowing behavior is intended, ensure this is explicit in the superclass.
+</p>
 
 </recommendation>
 <example>
-<p>The following code includes an example of subclass shadowing. When you call <code>Cow().milk()</code> 
-an error is raised because <code>Cow().milk</code> is interpreted as the 'milk' attribute set in 
-<code>Mammal.__init__</code>, not the 'milk' method defined within <code>Cow</code>. This can be fixed 
-by changing the name of either the 'milk' attribute or the 'milk' method.</p>
+<p>
+In the following example, the <code>_foo</code> attribute of class <code>A</code> shadows the method <code>_foo</code> of class <code>B</code>. 
+Calls to <code>B()._foo()</code> will result in a <code>TypeError</code>, as <code>3</code> will be called instead. 
+</p>
+
+<sample src="examples/SubclassShadowing.py" />
+
+<p>
+In the following example...
+</p>
 
-<sample src="SubclassShadowing.py" />
 
 </example>
 </qhelp>