virtual ?

Fra MSDN:

C++ Specific —>

A virtual function is a member function that you expect to be redefined in derived classes. When you refer to a derived class object using a pointer or a reference to the base class, you can call a virtual function for that object and execute the derived class's version of the function.

END C++ Specific

Example 1

class WageEmployee
{
public:
  virtual float computePay();
};

class SalesPerson : public WageEmployee
{
public:
  float computePay();
};
You can execute different versions of computePay( ) depending on the type of object you're calling it for.

Example 2

WageEmployee aWorker;
SalesPerson aSeller;
WageEmployee *wagePtr;

wagePtr = &aWorker;
wagePtr->computePay();  // call WageEmployee::computePay
wagePtr = &aSeller;
wagePtr->computePay();  // call SalesPerson::computePay
The virtual keyword is needed only in the base class's declaration of the function; any subsequent declarations in derived classes are virtual by default.

A derived class's version of a virtual function must have the same parameter list and return type as those of the base class. If these are different, the function is not considered a redefinition of the virtual function. A redefined virtual function cannot differ from the original only by return type.


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