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Polymorphism Lecture Notes

This document discusses polymorphism in C++. It explains that runtime polymorphism allows the same function to have different meanings depending on the object, and is achieved through inheritance and virtual functions. When a base class pointer or reference is used, the version of the function that is called depends on the actual object type at runtime. Abstract classes are base classes that are incomplete and require derived classes to define missing functionality, while concrete classes can be instantiated as they define all members. Pure virtual functions make a class abstract by having a declaration but no definition.

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Ashish Mundhada
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113 views10 pages

Polymorphism Lecture Notes

This document discusses polymorphism in C++. It explains that runtime polymorphism allows the same function to have different meanings depending on the object, and is achieved through inheritance and virtual functions. When a base class pointer or reference is used, the version of the function that is called depends on the actual object type at runtime. Abstract classes are base classes that are incomplete and require derived classes to define missing functionality, while concrete classes can be instantiated as they define all members. Pure virtual functions make a class abstract by having a declaration but no definition.

Uploaded by

Ashish Mundhada
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Polymorphism

poly morphism
Compile-time/early binding/static binding
Runtime /late binding /dynamic binding

Runtime polymorphism
being able to assign different meaning to the same function at
runtime

allow us to program more abstractly


Think general vs Specific
Let C++ figure out which function to call at Run-time

Not the default in C++,runtime polymorphism can be achieved via


inheritance
base class pointer or references
virtual functions
Account a
a. withdraw() //Account : : withdraw
Account
Savings b
Withdraw()
b. withdraw() //Saving : : withdraw

Checking c
Savings Checking
c. withdraw() //Checking : : withdraw
Withdraw() Withdraw()

Trust d
d. withdraw() //Trust : : withdraw Trust
Withdraw()

Account * p =new Trust()

P->withdraw(1000); //Account : : withdraw

What should have been called was //Trust : : withdraw


void display_accout(const Account &acc)
{
acc.display(); Account
//will always use Accout::display display()
}

Account a; Savings Checking


display_account(a);
display() display()
Savings b;
display_account(b);
Trust
Checking c; display()
display_account(c);

Trust d;
display_account(d);
Virtual Function
Define a method as virtual, and the subclass
method overrides the base class method

E.g.,
class Shape {
public:
virtual void Rotate();
virtual void Draw();
...
}
Virtual Functions

If a method is declared virtual in a class,


… it is automatically virtual in all derived
classes

It is a really, really good idea to make


destructors virtual!
virtual ~Shape();
Reason: to invoke the correct destructor,
no matter how object is accessed
Abstract Classes
Classes from which it is never intended to instantiate
any objects
Incomplete—derived classes must define the “missing
pieces”.
Too generic to define real objects.

Normally used as base classes and called abstract


base classes
Provide appropriate base class frameworks from which other
classes can inherit.

Concrete Classes
Classes used to instantiate objects
Must provide implementation for every member
function they define
Pure virtual functions
A class is made abstract by declaring one or
more of its virtual functions to be “pure”
I.e., by placing "= 0" in its declaration

Example
virtual void draw() const = 0;

"= 0" is known as a pure specifier.


Tells compiler that there is no implementation

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