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Abstract Class: P. Vasuki P. Vasuki

This document discusses abstract classes, polymorphism, and dynamic binding in C++. It explains that abstract classes contain at least one pure virtual function and cannot be instantiated. Dynamic binding allows calling the appropriate overridden function based on the object's type at runtime rather than compile time. It also notes that virtual destructors ensure the correct destructor is called when deleting objects through a base class pointer.

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sudhan
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27 views

Abstract Class: P. Vasuki P. Vasuki

This document discusses abstract classes, polymorphism, and dynamic binding in C++. It explains that abstract classes contain at least one pure virtual function and cannot be instantiated. Dynamic binding allows calling the appropriate overridden function based on the object's type at runtime rather than compile time. It also notes that virtual destructors ensure the correct destructor is called when deleting objects through a base class pointer.

Uploaded by

sudhan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Abstract Class

P. Vasuki
Polymorphism
• On overriding, compiler calls the appropriate function,
defined by the type of object, which invokes the function.

Employee e, *ePtr = &e;


part_time_emp h, *hPtr = &h;
ePtr->print(); //call base-class print function
hPtr->print(); //call derived-class print function
ePtr=&h; //allowable implicit conversion
ePtr->print(); // still calls base-class print
If we want to call part_time employee print we should make
print of base class employee to be declared as virtual
Employee e, *ePtr = &e;
HourlyWorker h, *hPtr = &h;
ePtr->print(); //call base-class print function
hPtr->print(); //call derived-class print function
ePtr=&h; //allowable implicit conversion
ePtr->print(); // calls derived-class print
Dynamic Binding

• Dynamic binding (late binding )


– Object's type not needed when compiling virtual
functions
– Accommodate new classes that have been added
after compilation
Abstract Classes

• If a class Which consists of atleast one


pure virtual function is called as virtual
class or abstract class.

Pure virtual function


virtual double earnings() const = 0;
Case Study: Dynamic binding and
Implementation

Dzire_Car
virtual int milage()=0 //Pure Vitual Function

Pertrol__Dezire Deisel_Dezire
int milage() int milage()
{ {
return 22; I return 25;
} }
Virtual Destructors

• Problem:
– If base-class pointer to a derived object is deleted, the base-class
destructor will act on the object

• Solution:
– Declare a virtual base-class destructor
– Now, the appropriate destructor will be called
Polymorphism, virtual Functions and
Dynamic Binding

• When to use polymorphism


– Polymorphism has a lot of overhead
– Polymorphism is not used in STL (Standard Template
Library) to optimize performance
• virtual function table (vtable)
– Every class with a virtual function has a vtable
– For every virtual function, vtable has a pointer to the
proper function
• If a derived class has the same function as a base class,
then the function pointer points to the base-class function
– Detailed explanation in Fig. 20.2

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