Inheritance is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) that allows you to create new classes (derived classes) based on existing classes (base classes). It promotes code reusability, modularity, and the creation of hierarchical relationships between classes.
Base Class (Parent Class)
A base class is a class that provides the foundation for derived classes. It defines the attributes and behaviors that will be inherited by its derived classes.
Derived Class (Child Class)
A derived class is a class that inherits the properties and methods of a base class. It can add new members or override existing ones to specialize its behavior.
Types of Inheritance
Single Inheritance: A derived class inherits from only one base class.
Multiple Inheritance: A derived class inherits from multiple base classes.
Multilevel Inheritance: A derived class inherits from a base class, which in turn inherits from another base class.
Hierarchical Inheritance: Multiple derived classes inherit from a single base class.
Hybrid Inheritance: A combination of multiple inheritance types.
Syntax for Inheritance
class DerivedClass : visibility_mode BaseClass {
// Members of DerivedClass
};
visibility_mode: Can be public, private, or protected.
public: Public members of the base class become public members of the derived class.
private: Private members of the base class are not accessible to the derived class.
protected: Protected members of the base class become protected members of the derived class.
Example: Single Inheritance
class Animal {
public:
void eat() {
cout << "Eating..." << endl;
}
};
class Dog : public Animal {
public:
void bark() {
cout << "Woof!" << endl;
}
};
In this example, the Dog class inherits from the Animal class. It can access and use the eat() method inherited from the base class.
Advantages of Inheritance
Code Reusability: Avoids redundant code by inheriting common properties and methods.
Modular Design: Breaks down complex systems into smaller, more manageable classes.
Polymorphism: Enables different objects to be treated as instances of a common base class.
Extensibility: Allows for the creation of specialized classes without modifying existing code.
Key Points to Remember
A derived class can access public and protected members of its base class.
Private members of the base class are not accessible to the derived class.
Derived classes can override inherited methods to provide specialized implementations.
Use inheritance judiciously to maintain a clear and well-structured class hierarchy.
By understanding the concepts of inheritance, you can create more efficient, flexible, and maintainable C++ programs.
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