C++ Inheritance
One of the most important concepts in object-oriented programming is that of
inheritance. Inheritance allows us to define a class in terms of another class, which
makes it easier to create and maintain an application. This also provides an opportunity
to reuse the code functionality and fast implementation time.
When creating a class, instead of writing completely new data members and member
functions, the programmer can designate that the new class should inherit the members
of an existing class. This existing class is called the base class, and the new class is
referred to as the derived class.
The idea of inheritance implements the is a relationship. For example, mammal IS-A
animal, dog IS-A mammal hence dog IS-A animal as well and so on.
Base and Derived Classes
A class can be derived from more than one classes, which means it can inherit data and
functions from multiple base classes. To define a derived class, we use a class
derivation list to specify the base class(es). A class derivation list names one or more
base classes and has the form −
class derived-class: access-specifier base-class
Where access-specifier is one of public, protected, or private, and base-class is the
name of a previously defined class. If the access-specifier is not used, then it is private
by default.
Consider a base class Shape and its derived class Rectangle as follows −
Live Demo
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// Base class
class Shape {
public:
void setWidth(int w) {
width = w;
}
void setHeight(int h) {
height = h;
}
protected:
int width;
int height;
};
// Derived class
class Rectangle: public Shape {
public:
int getArea() {
return (width * height);
}
};
int main(void) {
Rectangle Rect;
Rect.setWidth(5);
Rect.setHeight(7);
// Print the area of the object.
cout << "Total area: " << Rect.getArea() << endl;
return 0;
}
When the above code is compiled and executed, it produces the following result −
Total area: 35
Access Control and Inheritance
A derived class can access all the non-private members of its base class. Thus base-
class members that should not be accessible to the member functions of derived
classes should be declared private in the base class.
We can summarize the different access types according to - who can access them in
the following way −
Access public protected private
Same class yes yes yes
Derived classes yes yes no
Outside classes yes no no
A derived class inherits all base class methods with the following exceptions −
Constructors, destructors and copy constructors of the base class.
Overloaded operators of the base class.
The friend functions of the base class.
Type of Inheritance
When deriving a class from a base class, the base class may be inherited
through public, protected or private inheritance. The type of inheritance is specified by
the access-specifier as explained above.
We hardly use protected or private inheritance, but public inheritance is commonly
used. While using different type of inheritance, following rules are applied −
Public Inheritance − When deriving a class from a public base
class, public members of the base class become public members of the derived
class and protected members of the base class become protected members of
the derived class. A base class's private members are never accessible directly
from a derived class, but can be accessed through calls to
the public and protected members of the base class.
Protected Inheritance − When deriving from a protected base
class, public and protected members of the base class
become protected members of the derived class.
Private Inheritance − When deriving from a private base
class, public and protected members of the base class
become private members of the derived class.
Types
Single Inheritance.
Multiple Inheritance.
Multilevel Inheritance.
Hierarchical Inheritance.
Hybrid Inheritance.
C++ Single Inheritance
Single inheritance is defined as the inheritance in which a derived class is
inherited from the only one base class.
Where 'A' is the base class, and 'B' is the derived class.
C++ Single Level Inheritance Example: Inheriting
Fields
When one class inherits another class, it is known as single level inheritance.
Let's see the example of single level inheritance which inherits the fields
only.
1. #include <iostream>
2. using namespace std;
3. class Account {
4. public:
5. float salary = 60000;
6. };
7. class Programmer: public Account {
8. public:
9. float bonus = 5000;
10. };
11.int main(void) {
12. Programmer p1;
13. cout<<"Salary: "<<p1.salary<<endl;
14. cout<<"Bonus: "<<p1.bonus<<endl;
15. return 0;
16.}
Output:
Salary: 60000
Bonus: 5000
In the above example, Employee is the base class and Programmer is
the derived class.
C++ Single Level Inheritance Example: Inheriting
Methods
Let's see another example of inheritance in C++ which inherits methods
only.
1. #include <iostream>
2. using namespace std;
3. class Animal {
4. public:
5. void eat() {
6. cout<<"Eating..."<<endl;
7. }
8. };
9. class Dog: public Animal
10. {
11. public:
12. void bark(){
13. cout<<"Barking...";
14. }
15. };
16.int main(void) {
17. Dog d1;
18. d1.eat();
19. d1.bark();
20. return 0;
21.}
Output:
