Virtual Function in C++

February 15, 2023

Virtual Function

On this page we will discuss about virtual function in C++ . Virtual function is a special Member function that is declared within a base class and redefined by the derived class to go with its own task.
virtual function in C++

Virtual Function in C++

Virtual functions give programmer capability to call a member function of a different class  by the same function call based on a different situation.

  • In other words, a virtual function is a function which gets override in a derived class and instructs c++ compiler for executing late binding on that function
  • A function call is resolved at runtime in late binding and so that compiler determines the type of an object at runtime.

Virtual function syntax

class class_name 
{ 
  access: 
  virtual return fucntion_name(arg...) 
  { 
     ---; 
  } 
};

Advantage of virtual functions

Ambiguity in function calls is reduced because It can call all the required functions from parent and child class in a different context

Some points to note about virtual functions

  • Members of some class virtual functions cannot be static
  • The virtual function can be defined in the parent class even if it is not used
  • The declaration of the virtual function of parent class in the child class must be identical, if the prototype is not identical c++ will consider them as overloaded functions
  • A virtual constructor is not possible whereas a virtual destructor
    is possible

Loop Types in C++

Decision Making in C++

Array in C++

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Function in C++

C++ program to demonstrate the usage of virtual keyword

Example 1:

Run 
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class parent//parent class
{
  public:
  virtual void show()
  {
    cout << "Base class\n";
  }
};

class child:public parent//child class
{
  public:  void show()
   {
     cout << "Derived Class";
   }
};

int main()
{
  parent* p; //Base class pointer
  child c; //Derived class object
  p = &c;
  c.show(); //Late Binding Occurs
}

Output:

Derived class
When we have used virtual keyword with the base class function dynamic binding takes place and the child version of the function will be called because parent class points to Child class object The output of the above program without using the virtual keyboard.

Output:

Base class
  • Here we have declared parent class  and assigned child class object but still, base class pointer reference will point the base class function show()
  • To overcome this problem we will use the virtual keyword.

Example 2:

Run 
#include <iostream>
#include <string>
using namespace std;

class Animal
{
private: string type;

public:

  Animal ():type ("Animal")
  {
  }


  virtual string getType ()
  {
    return type;
  }
};

class Dog:public Animal
{
private:
  string type;

public:

  Dog ():type ("Dog")
  {
  }

  string getType () override
  {
    return type;
  }
};

class Cat:public Animal
{
private:
  string type;

public:

  Cat ():type ("Cat")
  {
  }

  string getType () override
  {
    return type;
  }
};

void print (Animal * ani)
{
  cout << "Animal: " << ani->getType () << endl;
}

int main ()
{
  Animal *animal1 = new Animal ();
  Animal *dog1 = new Dog ();
  Animal *cat1 = new Cat ();

  print (animal1);
  print (dog1);
  print (cat1);

  return 0;
}

Output:

Animal: Animal
Animal: Dog
Animal: Cat

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