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What Is A Virtual Constructor? Virtual Constructor Not A Real Language Feature Design Pattern

A virtual constructor in C++ is a design pattern for creating objects polymorphically, typically implemented via a virtual cloning or factory method since constructors cannot be virtual. This pattern is useful for creating new objects of the same derived type without knowing the exact class at runtime. Virtual functions allow for runtime polymorphism, while pure virtual functions enforce implementation in derived classes, making the base class abstract.

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5 views6 pages

What Is A Virtual Constructor? Virtual Constructor Not A Real Language Feature Design Pattern

A virtual constructor in C++ is a design pattern for creating objects polymorphically, typically implemented via a virtual cloning or factory method since constructors cannot be virtual. This pattern is useful for creating new objects of the same derived type without knowing the exact class at runtime. Virtual functions allow for runtime polymorphism, while pure virtual functions enforce implementation in derived classes, making the base class abstract.

Uploaded by

AnuragYadav
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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(31)Ans 1. What is a Virtual Constructor?

In C++, a virtual constructor is not a real language feature, but a design pattern used to create
objects in a polymorphic way—meaning that you can create an object of a derived class using a base
class interface.

Since C++ does not support constructors as virtual functions (i.e., constructors can't be marked as
virtual), a virtual constructor is typically implemented using a virtual cloning or factory method, such
as a clone() or create() function, that is declared virtual in the base class and overridden in the
derived class.

Why is it needed?

Suppose you have a base class pointer pointing to a derived class object, and you want to create a
new object of the same type (runtime type) without knowing the exact derived class. This is not
possible using constructors directly, hence we use a virtual constructor pattern.

Key Advantages

1. Polymorphic object creation: Allows creation of objects without knowing their concrete
type.

2. Extensibility: New derived types can be added without changing the base interface.

3. Supports cloning: Enables deep copying of polymorphic objects.


Explanation

• clone() acts as a virtual constructor.

• It allows creation of a new object at runtime based on the actual object type.

• The client code only needs a reference to the base class (Shape) but can still instantiate
derived objects correctly.
(31)ANS 2. 1. Virtual Function

A virtual function is a member function in a base class that you can override in a derived class. It
allows for runtime polymorphism, meaning the function that gets called is determined at runtime
based on the object type (not the pointer type).

Syntax:

Even though bptr is of type Base*, the Derived version of display() is called due to virtual dispatch.
2. Pure Virtual Function

A pure virtual function is a virtual function with no implementation in the base class. It forces
derived classes to provide an implementation. A class that contains at least one pure virtual function
becomes an abstract class and cannot be instantiated.

Syntax:

Key Differences

Feature Virtual Function Pure Virtual Function

Implementation Can have an implementation in base Has no implementation in base

Object Instantiation Base class can be instantiated Base class cannot be instantiated

Overriding Optional in derived class Must be overridden in derived class

Use Case Polymorphism with optional override Used to define interface-like behavior

Summary

• Use virtual functions when you want optional overriding and allow base class functionality.

• Use pure virtual functions when you want to enforce that derived classes must implement
the function.
(31) Ans 3. PHOTO

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