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Inheritance in C++

The document discusses inheritance in C++, including the different types of inheritance like single, multiple, multilevel, hierarchical, and hybrid inheritance. It provides examples and syntax for each type of inheritance and explains the relationships between base and derived classes.

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darunraj365
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53 views

Inheritance in C++

The document discusses inheritance in C++, including the different types of inheritance like single, multiple, multilevel, hierarchical, and hybrid inheritance. It provides examples and syntax for each type of inheritance and explains the relationships between base and derived classes.

Uploaded by

darunraj365
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Inheritance in C++

Introduction:

The capability of a class to derive properties and characteristics from another class is
called Inheritance. Inheritance is one of the most important features of Object-Oriented
Programming.
Inheritance is a feature or a process in which, new classes are created from the existing
classes. The new class created is called “derived class” or “child class” and the existing
class is known as the “base class” or “parent class”. The derived class now is said to be
inherited from the base class.
When we say derived class inherits the base class, it means, the derived class inherits all the
properties of the base class, without changing the properties of base class and may add new
features to its own. These new features in the derived class will not affect the base class.
The derived class is the specialized class for the base class.
 Sub Class: The class that inherits properties from another class is called Subclass or
Derived Class.
 Super Class: The class whose properties are inherited by a subclass is called Base
Class or Superclass.
Modes of Inheritance: There are 3 modes of inheritance.
1. Public Mode: If we derive a subclass from a public base class. Then the public member
of the base class will become public in the derived class and protected members of the
base class will become protected in the derived class.
2. Protected Mode: If we derive a subclass from a Protected base class. Then both public
members and protected members of the base class will become protected in the derived
class.
3. Private Mode: If we derive a subclass from a Private base class. Then both public
members and protected members of the base class will become Private in the derived
class.
Types Of Inheritance:-
1. Single inheritance
2. Multilevel inheritance
3. Multiple inheritance
4. Hierarchical inheritance
5. Hybrid inheritance

1. Single Inheritance: In single inheritance, a class is allowed to inherit from only one
class. i.e. one subclass is inherited by one base class only.
Syntax:
class subclass_name : access_mode base_class
{
// body of subclass
};

OR

class A
{
... .. ...
};

Example:

#include<iostream>
using namespace std;

// base class
class Vehicle {
public:
Vehicle()
{
cout << "This is a Vehicle\n";
}
};

// sub class derived from a single base classes


class Car : public Vehicle {

};

// main function
int main()
{
// Creating object of sub class will
// invoke the constructor of base classes
Car obj;
return 0;
}

Output
This is a Vehicle
2. Multiple Inheritance: Multiple Inheritance is a feature of C++ where a class can inherit
from more than one class. i.e one subclass is inherited from more than one base class.
Syntax:
class subclass_name : access_mode base_class1, access_mode base_class2, ....
{
// body of subclass
};
class B
{
... .. ...
};
class C
{
... .. ...
};
class A: public B, public C
{
... ... ...
};

Here, the number of base classes will be separated by a comma („, „) and the access mode
for every base class must be specified.
Example
// C++ program to explain
// multiple inheritance
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// first base class


class Vehicle {
public:
Vehicle() { cout << "This is a Vehicle\n"; }
};

// second base class


class FourWheeler {
public:
FourWheeler()
{
cout << "This is a 4 wheeler Vehicle\n";
}
};

// sub class derived from two base classes


class Car : public Vehicle, public FourWheeler {
};

// main function

int main()
{
// Creating object of sub class will
// invoke the constructor of base classes.
Car obj;
return 0;
}

Output
This is a Vehicle
This is a 4 wheeler Vehicle
3. Multilevel Inheritance: In this type of inheritance, a derived class is created from another
derived class.

Syntax:-
class C
{
... .. ...
};
class B:public C
{
... .. ...
};
class A: public B
{
... ... ...
};
Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// base class
class Vehicle {
public:
Vehicle() { cout << "This is a Vehicle\n"; }
};

// first sub_class derived from class vehicle


class fourWheeler : public Vehicle {
public:
fourWheeler()
{
cout << "Objects with 4 wheels are vehicles\n";
}
};
// sub class derived from the derived base class fourWheeler
class Car : public fourWheeler {
public:
Car() { cout << "Car has 4 Wheels\n"; }
};

// main function
int main()
{
// Creating object of sub class will
// invoke the constructor of base classes.
Car obj;
return 0;
}
Output
This is a Vehicle
Objects with 4 wheels are vehicles
Car has 4 Wheels
4. Hierarchical Inheritance: In this type of inheritance, more than one subclass is
inherited from a single base class. i.e. more than one derived class is created from a single
base class.
Syntax:-
class A
{
// body of the class A.
}
class B : public A
{
// body of class B.
}
class C : public A
{
// body of class C.
}
class D : public A
{
// body of class D.
}

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// base class
class Vehicle {
public:
Vehicle() { cout << "This is a Vehicle\n"; }
};

// first sub class


class Car : public Vehicle {
};

// second sub class


class Bus : public Vehicle {
};

/ main function
int main()
{
// Creating object of sub class will
// invoke the constructor of base class.
Car obj1;
Bus obj2;
return 0;
}

Output
This is a Vehicle
This is a Vehicle
6. Hybrid (Virtual) Inheritance: Hybrid Inheritance is implemented by combining
more than one type of inheritance. For example: Combining Hierarchical inheritance
and Multiple Inheritance.
Below image shows the combination of hierarchical and multiple inheritances:

Example
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// base class
class Vehicle {
public:
Vehicle() { cout << "This is a Vehicle\n"; }
};

// base class
class Fare {
public:
Fare() { cout << "Fare of Vehicle\n"; }
};

// first sub class


class Car : public Vehicle {
};

// second sub class


class Bus : public Vehicle, public Fare {
};

// main function
int main()

{
// Creating object of sub class will
// invoke the constructor of base class.
Bus obj2;
return 0;
}

Output
This is a Vehicle
Fare of Vehicle

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