What are some examples of virtual functions in C++?

What are some examples of virtual functions in C++?

Virtual functions in C++ allow derived classes to override methods of a base class. For example, if you have a base class Shape with a virtual function draw(), derived classes like Circle and Square can provide their own implementations of draw().

Can you show me a code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Shape {
public:
    virtual void draw() { std::cout << "Drawing a shape"; }
};

class Circle : public Shape {
public:
    void draw() override { std::cout << "Drawing a circle"; }
};

class Square : public Shape {
public:
    void draw() override { std::cout << "Drawing a square"; }
};

In this example, draw() is a virtual function that can be overridden in derived classes.

What happens if I don't use the virtual keyword?

If you don't use the virtual keyword, the function will not be overridden in the derived class. Instead, the base class version will be called, even if you have a derived class object.

Can you explain the concept of polymorphism in this context?

Polymorphism in C++ allows methods to do different things based on the object that it is acting upon. With virtual functions, you can call the same method on different objects, and the correct method for the object type will be executed, enabling dynamic behavior.