virtual specifier
| virtual specifier | Polymorphic function specifier or shared base class |
function-specifier := virtual base-modifiers ::= virtual [access-specifier] | access-specifier [virtual] |
The virtual keyword has two unrelated uses; it is used in virtual functions and virtual base classes:
As a function specifier, virtual can be used only with a nonstatic member function. It makes the function and class polymorphic. A virtual function can be declared with = 0 after the function header, which means the function is abstract. You cannot create an instance of a class with an abstract function; instead, a derived class must override the function. You can create an instance of the derived class.
Using virtual as a base-class modifier means the base class subobject is shared when it is used more than once in an inheritance graph.
Example
struct shape {
virtual void draw(canvas&) = 0;
virtual void debug( );
};
struct square : virtual shape {
virtual void draw(canvas&);
virtual void debug( );
};
See Also
class, declaration, Chapter 6
