What are some real-world examples of abstract classes in programming?

What are some real-world examples of abstract classes in programming?

Abstract classes are used in various programming scenarios. For instance, in a game development context, you might have an abstract class called 'Character' that defines common properties like health and methods like 'attack()'. Specific character types like 'Warrior' or 'Mage' would then inherit from this abstract class.

Can you give me another example?

Sure! In a payment processing system, you could have an abstract class called 'PaymentMethod' with methods like 'processPayment()'. Concrete classes like 'CreditCard' and 'PayPal' would implement these methods differently.

What are the benefits of using abstract classes?

Using abstract classes promotes code reusability and enforces a contract for subclasses, ensuring they implement specific methods. This leads to cleaner and more maintainable code.

Are there any drawbacks to using abstract classes?

Yes, one drawback is that they can introduce complexity. If overused, they may lead to a rigid class hierarchy that can be difficult to manage.