To understand and implement various types of inheritance in C++, demonstrating how derived classes can inherit properties and behaviors from base classes to promote code reuse and modular design.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Inheritance | One derived class inherits from one base class |
| Multiple Inheritance | One derived class inherits from multiple base classes |
| Multilevel Inheritance | A class inherits from a derived class, forming a chain |
| Hierarchical Inheritance | Multiple derived classes inherit from a single base class |
A derived class inherits from a single base class, gaining access to its public and protected members.
- Define a base class with a member variable and a function.
- Create a derived class that inherits from the base class.
- Instantiate the derived class and access inherited members.
- Displays a message from the base class function.
- Prints combined attributes from both base and derived classes.
A derived class inherits from more than one base class, combining functionalities from all parent classes.
- Define two separate base classes with distinct functions.
- Create a derived class that inherits from both.
- Instantiate the derived class and invoke functions from each base class.
- Executes functions from both base classes.
- Displays attributes and messages from the derived class.
Inheritance occurs across multiple levels, where a class inherits from a derived class, forming a chain.
- Define a base class with a function.
- Create a second class that inherits from the base class.
- Create a third class that inherits from the second class.
- Instantiate the most derived class and access all inherited functions.
- Sequentially displays outputs from grandparent, parent, and child classes.
Multiple classes inherit from a single base class, each extending or customizing its behavior.
- Define a base class with a general-purpose function.
- Create two derived classes that inherit from the base class.
- Each derived class implements its own specialized function.
- Instantiate both derived classes and invoke base and derived functions.
- Displays a shared message from the base class.
- Shows unique outputs from each derived class.
This experiment highlights how inheritance in C++ supports:
- Code reuse by sharing common functionality.
- Modularity through structured class hierarchies.
- Polymorphism by enabling flexible object behavior.
Each inheritance type serves a distinct purpose in object-oriented design, and mastering them builds a strong foundation for scalable and maintainable software development.