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Inheritance and Polymorphism

The document explains inheritance and polymorphism in C++, highlighting how a derived class can inherit properties and methods from a base class, promoting code reuse. It details the concept of polymorphism, allowing objects of different classes to be treated as instances of a common base class through virtual functions. Additionally, it outlines types of inheritance and provides examples, emphasizing the importance of virtual functions for achieving runtime polymorphism.

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7 views2 pages

Inheritance and Polymorphism

The document explains inheritance and polymorphism in C++, highlighting how a derived class can inherit properties and methods from a base class, promoting code reuse. It details the concept of polymorphism, allowing objects of different classes to be treated as instances of a common base class through virtual functions. Additionally, it outlines types of inheritance and provides examples, emphasizing the importance of virtual functions for achieving runtime polymorphism.

Uploaded by

mkasi218
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Inheritance and Polymorphism in C++

1 Understanding Inheritance
Inheritance allows a class (derived class) to inherit properties and methods from another
class (base class). This promotes code reuse and establishes a hierarchical relationship
between classes.
For example, a Vehicle class can be a base class for a Car class:
class Vehicle {
public :
string brand ;
void start () {
cout << brand << " ␣ is ␣ starting . " << endl ;
}
};

class Car : public Vehicle {


public :
int doors ;
void display () {
cout << brand << " ␣ has ␣ " << doors << " ␣ doors . " << endl ;
}
};

2 Polymorphism
Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common
base class. This is achieved through virtual functions in C++:
class Vehicle {
public :
virtual void start () {
cout << " Vehicle ␣ is ␣ starting . " << endl ;
}
};

class Car : public Vehicle {


public :
void start () override {
cout << " Car ␣ is ␣ starting ␣ with ␣ a ␣ roar ! " << endl ;
}
};

1
int main () {
Vehicle * v = new Car ();
v - > start (); // Output : Car is starting with a roar !
delete v ;
return 0;
}

3 Types of Inheritance
• Single Inheritance: One class inherits from one base class.

• Multiple Inheritance: A class inherits from multiple base classes.

• Multilevel Inheritance: A class is derived from a class that is itself derived.

4 Example: Shape Hierarchy


Consider a shape hierarchy with a base class Shape and derived class Circle:
class Shape {
public :
virtual double area () { return 0.0; }
};

class Circle : public Shape {


double radius ;
public :
Circle ( double r ) : radius ( r ) {}
double area () override {
return 3.14159 * radius * radius ;
}
};

int main () {
Shape * s = new Circle (5.0);
cout << " Area : ␣ " << s - > area () << endl ; // Output : Area : 78.53975
delete s ;
return 0;
}

5 Key Takeaways
• Inheritance enables code reuse and hierarchy.

• Polymorphism allows flexibility in method calls.

• Virtual functions are key to runtime polymorphism in C++.

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