What are the best practices for using virtual methods in programming?

What are the best practices for using virtual methods in programming?

When using virtual methods, it's important to ensure proper use of polymorphism, maintain clear class hierarchies, and avoid unnecessary overrides.

Can you explain polymorphism in this context?

Polymorphism allows methods to be called on objects of different classes through a common interface, enabling flexible and reusable code.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid?

Common pitfalls include excessive use of virtual methods, not using them when appropriate, and failing to understand the implications of overriding.

How do I decide when to use virtual methods?

Use virtual methods when you need to allow derived classes to provide specific implementations of a method defined in a base class.