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

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

Some best practices for inheritance in C++ include using composition over inheritance, keeping the inheritance hierarchy shallow, and ensuring that base classes have virtual destructors.

Can you explain why composition is preferred over inheritance?

Composition is often preferred because it promotes code reuse and flexibility. It allows you to change behavior at runtime and avoids the complexities of deep inheritance hierarchies.

What is a virtual destructor and why is it important?

A virtual destructor ensures that the destructor of the derived class is called when an object is deleted through a base class pointer, preventing resource leaks.

Are there any specific scenarios where inheritance is actually beneficial?

Yes, inheritance can be beneficial when you have a clear 'is-a' relationship, such as a 'Dog' class inheriting from an 'Animal' class, allowing for shared behavior and attributes.