In the previous lesson on pointers and references to the base class of derived objects, we took a look at a number of examples where using pointers or references to a base class had the potential to simplify code. However, in every case, we ran up against the problem that the base pointer or . . . → Read More: 12.2 — Virtual functions

In the previous chapter, you learned all about how to use inheritance to derive new classes from existing classes. In this chapter, we are going to focus on one of the most important and powerful aspects of inheritance — virtual functions.

But before we discuss what virtual functions are, let’s first set the table . . . → Read More: 12.1 — Pointers and references to the base class of derived objects

Note: This section is an advanced topic and can be skipped or skimmed if desired.

In the previous section on multiple inheritance, we left off talking about the “diamond problem”. In this section, we will resume this discussion.

Virtual base classes

Here is our example from the previous lesson, with some constructors:

class PoweredDevice . . . → Read More: 11.8 — Virtual base classes

So far, all of the examples of inheritance we’ve presented have been single inheritance — that is, each inherited class has one and only one parent. However, C++ provides the ability to do multiple inheritance. Multiple inheritance enables a derived class to inherit members from more than one parent.

Let’s say we wanted to . . . → Read More: 11.7 — Multiple inheritance