What are the best practices for using inheritance in C++?

What are the best practices for using inheritance in C++?

Some best practices include using inheritance only when necessary, favoring composition over inheritance, and keeping the inheritance hierarchy shallow.

Can you explain why composition is preferred over inheritance?

Composition allows for more flexible code reuse and avoids the complexities and tight coupling that can arise from deep inheritance hierarchies.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid with inheritance?

Common pitfalls include creating deep inheritance trees, using public inheritance when private or protected would suffice, and not considering the implications of polymorphism.

How can I effectively document my inheritance structures?

You can use UML diagrams to visualize the inheritance structure and include comments in your code to explain the purpose of each class and its relationships.