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C++ - Difference Between A Virtual Function and A Pure Virtual Function - Stack Overflow

A virtual function allows derived classes to override the implementation in the base class. When called through a base class pointer, the implementation is looked up at runtime based on the actual object type. A pure virtual function makes a class abstract, meaning it cannot be instantiated. Derived classes must override all pure virtual functions from the base class in order to be instantiated themselves. While pure virtual functions typically have no implementation, C++ allows them to have one defined in the base class.

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504 views

C++ - Difference Between A Virtual Function and A Pure Virtual Function - Stack Overflow

A virtual function allows derived classes to override the implementation in the base class. When called through a base class pointer, the implementation is looked up at runtime based on the actual object type. A pure virtual function makes a class abstract, meaning it cannot be instantiated. Derived classes must override all pure virtual functions from the base class in order to be instantiated themselves. While pure virtual functions typically have no implementation, C++ allows them to have one defined in the base class.

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Neli Mkhatshwa
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© © All Rights Reserved
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c++ - Difference between a virtual function and a pure virtual function ...

1 of 2

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2652198/difference-between-a-virt...

Difference between a virtual function and a pure virtual function [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate:
C++ Virtual/Pure Virtual Explained
Hi,
Need to know what is the difference between a pure virtual function and a virtual function?
I know "Pure Virtual Function is a Virtual function with no body" but what does this mean and what is actually
done by the line below
virtual void virtualfunctioname() = 0
c++

function

virtual

pure-virtual

edited Mar 14 at 3:14


Richard JP Le Guen
9,352 1 21 57

asked Apr 16 '10 at 10:33


Sachin Chourasiya
1,470 4 22 56

marked as duplicate by N 1.1, Daniel A. White, Nick Dandoulakis,


Naveen, Neil Butterworth Apr 16 '10 at 10:40
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your
question, please ask a new question.

4 Answers
A virtual function makes its class a polymorphic base class. Derived classes can override virtual functions.
Virtual functions called through base class pointers/references will be resolved at run-time. That is, the
dynamic type of the object is used instead of its static type:
Derived d;
Base& rb = d;
// if Base::f() is virtual and Derived overrides it, Derived::f() will be called
rb.f();
A pure virtual function is a virtual function whose declaration ends in =0 :
class Base {
// ...
virtual void f() = 0;
// ...
A pure virtual function makes the class it is defined for abstract. Abstract classes cannot be instantiated.
Derived classes need to override/implement all inherited pure virtual functions. If they do not, they too will
become abstract.
In C++, a class can define a pure virtual function that has an implementation. (What that's good for is
debatable.)
edited Sep 28 '12 at 7:26

answered Apr 16 '10 at 10:37


sbi
76.8k 13 105 228

For a virtual function you need to provide implementation in the base class. However derived class can
override this implementation with its own implementation. Normally , for pure virtual functions implementation

02/04/2013 10:06

c++ - Difference between a virtual function and a pure virtual function ...

2 of 2

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2652198/difference-between-a-virt...

is not provided. You can make a function pure virtual with =0 at the end of function declaration. Also, a
class containing a pure virtual function is abstract i.e. you can not create a object of this class.
answered Apr 16 '10 at 10:38
Naveen
33.1k 12 71 147

You can actually provide implementations of pure virtual functions in C++. The only difference is all pure
virtual functions must be implemented by derived classes before the class can be instantiated.
answered Apr 16 '10 at 10:39
AshleysBrain
8,910 2 28 62

A pure virtual function is usually not (but can be) implemented in a base class and must be implemented in a
leaf subclass.
You denote that fact by appending the "= 0" to the declaration, like this:
class AbstractBase
{
virtual void PureVirtualFunction() = 0;
}
Then you cannot declare and instantiate a subclass without it implementing the pure virtual function:
class Derived : public AbstractBase
{
virtual void PureVirtualFunction() { }
}
edited Apr 18 '10 at 20:35

answered Apr 16 '10 at 10:36


Johann Gerell
8,289 16 47

1 In C++, a pure virtual function can be implemented. sbi Apr 16 '10 at 10:37
yes, and for the pure virtual destructor, it must be implemented. daramarak Apr 16 '10 at 10:39
@daramarak: pure virtual constructor ? in C++? Naveen Apr 16 '10 at 10:40
@Naveen: stackoverflow.com/questions/2609299/2609404#2609404 sbi Apr 16 '10 at 20:52
@sbi: I read at is constructor instead of destructor. My mistake.. Naveen Apr 17 '10 at 9:51
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