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Abstract Class and Pure Virtual Function in
C++
Abstract Class is a class which contains atleast one Pure Virtual function in it.
Abstract classes are used to provide an Interface for its sub classes. Classes
inheriting an Abstract Class must provide definition to the pure virtual
function, otherwise they will also become abstract class.
Characteristics of Abstract Class
1. Abstract class cannot be instantiated, but pointers and refrences of
Abstract class type can be created.
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2. Abstract class can have normal functions and variables along with a pure
virtual function. Powered By
3. Abstract classes are mainly used for Upcasting, so that its derived classes
can use its interface.
4. Classes inheriting an Abstract Class must implement all pure virtual
functions, or else they will become Abstract too.
Pure Virtual Functions in inC++
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Pure virtual Functions are virtual functions with no definition. They start with
virtual keyword and ends with = 0. Here is the syntax for a pure virtual
function,
virtual void f() = 0;
Example of Abstract Class in C++
Below we have a simple example where we have defined an abstract class,
};
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class Derived:public Base
{ Powered By
public:
void show()
{
Base obj; //Compile Time Error
Base *b;
Derived d;
b = &d;
b->show();
}
Output:
Implementation of Virtual Function in Derived class
In the above example Base class is abstract, with pure virtual show()
function, hence we cannot create object of base class.
Why can't we create Object of an Abstract Class?
When we create a pure virtual function in Abstract class, we reserve a slot
for a function in the VTABLE(studied in last topic), but doesn't put any
address in that slot. Hence the VTABLE will be incomplete.
As the VTABLE for Abstract class is incomplete, hence the compiler will not
let the creation of object for such class and will display an errror message
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whenever you try to do so.
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Pure Virtual definitions
Pure Virtual functions can be given a small definition in the Abstract
class, which you want all the derived classes to have. Still you cannot
create object of Abstract class.
Also, the Pure Virtual function must be defined outside the class
definition. If you will define it inside the class definition, complier will
give an error. Inline pure virtual definition is Illegal.
// Abstract base class
class Base
{
public:
virtual void show() = 0; //Pure Virtual Function
};
void Base :: show() //Pure Virtual definition
{
cout << "Pure Virtual definition\n";
}
class Derived:public Base
{
public:
void show()
{
cout << "Implementation of Virtual Function in Der
}
Output:
Implementation of Virtual Function in Derived class Index
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