C++’s inheritance feature allows a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class. Inheritance allows you to create a base class from which you can derive multiple derived classes, each of which will have its unique characteristics.
In C++ programming, this is an important concept to understand since it reduces code duplication and encourages code reuse. The purpose of this article is to discuss inheritance in C++ in its entirety.
Introduction
In object-oriented programming (OOP), inheritance is a fundamental concept, and it is a key feature of the C++ programming language. The concept of inheritance allows a class to inherit properties and behaviors from a base class. The derived class is the class that inherits from the base class.
Inheritance has the advantage of allowing code to be reused. By creating a base class containing common properties and behaviors, you can create derived classes that inherit these characteristics and build upon them rather than having to write the same code repeatedly. By doing this, you can reduce the amount of code you need to write, as well as make it easier to maintain and modify your code since you only need to update the base class rather than each derived class.
Using inheritance can also enhance the organization and structure of your code. It is possible to better organize your code and make it easier to understand if you divide it into base classes and derived classes. Especially useful in large-scale projects with many different classes and objects.
What is C++
As an extension of the C programming language, C++ is a high-level, general-purpose programming language developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979? This is an object-oriented programming (OOP) language, which means that it is based on the concept of “objects” that can contain data as well as code to manipulate that data.
A wide range of applications can be developed using C++, including operating systems, web browsers, games, and more. The language is well known for its performance, flexibility, and compatibility with other languages and platforms.
Inheritance in C++
C++’s inheritance feature allows a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class. Inheritance allows you to create a base class from which multiple derived classes can be created, each with its unique characteristics.
By understanding this concept, you will be able to reduce code duplication and promote code reuse in C++.
Example
Here is an example of how to implement inheritance in C++
// Base class
class Shape {
public:
Shape(int width, int height) : width_(width), height_(height) {}
virtual int Area() { return width_ * height_; }
protected:
int width_;
int height_;
};
// Derived class
class Rectangle: public Shape {
public:
Rectangle(int width, int height) : Shape(width, height) {}
int Area() { return width_ * height_; }
};
int main() {
Shape* shape = new Rectangle(10, 5);
std::cout << “Area: ” << shape->Area() << std::endl;
delete shape;
return 0;
}
- We have a base class called Shape, which has a single virtual function called Area(). The rectangle is a derived class from Shape. The Rectangle class overrides the Area() function to provide its own implementation, but it still has access to the width_ and height_ member variables from the base class.
- As part of the main() function, we create a pointer to a Shape object and assign it to an instance of the Rectangle class. Using the implementation from the Rectangle class, we call the Area() function on the shape object.
- It is only a simple example of how inheritance works in C++, but it illustrates the basic principles of creating a base class and a derived class, as well as how the derived class can override or extend the behavior of the base class.
Importance of Inheritance in C++
Object-oriented programming relies heavily on inheritance because it facilitates code reuse and better code organization.
Instead of having to write the same code repeatedly, you can create derived classes that inherit these characteristics and build on them.
Types of Inheritance
-
Single inheritance in C++
When a class derives from a single base class, it is called single inheritance, and it is the most common form of inheritance.
For example class DerivedClass: public BaseClass {}; In this case, DerivedClass is the derived class and BaseClass is the base class.
-
Multiple inheritances in C++
Multiple inheritances are one type of inheritance in which a class is descended from more than one base class.
For example class DerivedClass: public BaseClass1, public BaseClass2 {}; In this case, DerivedClass is the derived class and BaseClass1 and BaseClass2 are the base classes.
Virtual inheritance in C++
An inheritance method called virtual inheritance allows a class to inherit from a base class multiple times without creating duplicate members of the base class.
It is useful when a derived class is derived from multiple base classes with the same base class.
Classes in Inheritance
1.The base class in C++
An inheritance base class is a class that is inherited by one or more derived classes. It is the base class that provides the properties and behaviors that are shared by the derived classes.
2.Derived class in C++?
The term derived class refers to a class that inherits from a base class. A derived class may have its unique characteristics and behaviors in addition to those inherited from the base class.
Polymorphism in C++
In C++, polymorphism allows derived classes to override or extend the behavior of base classes. A virtual function is a function that is marked with the virtual keyword in order to accomplish this goal.
Benefits of inheritance in C++
The benefits of inheritance in C++ include code reuse, improved code organization, and more complex class hierarchies. The advantage of inheritance is that you only need to update the base class rather than each derived class separately, which can make it easier for you to maintain and modify your code.
Conclusion
The C++ programming language was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup in 1979 and is a high-level programming language. The language is an extension of the C programming language and is commonly used for developing large-scale software applications, such as operating systems and games. Object-oriented programming is one of the most important features of C++, which allows programmers to create and manipulate “objects” that represent real-world entities.
In C++, inheritance is a mechanism that allows a class (called the derived class) to inherit characteristics from another class (called the base class). This allows the derived class to inherit the data members and member functions of the base class, as well as to override or extend the inherited functions as necessary. As a powerful tool in C++, inheritance allows programmers to create more reusable and modular code, and it is a fundamental concept for all C++ programmers.
