Hierarchical Inheritance in C++: Concepts, Syntax & Examples

Hierarchical inheritance is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP) where multiple classes inherit properties and behaviors from a single base class. We can think of it as a family tree, where the base class represents a grandparent, and various derived classes represent children and grandchildren, each inheriting traits from their ancestors.

Let us dive in and all about hierarchical inheritance in C++.

What is Hierarchical Inheritance?

In order to learn what is hierarchical inheritance in C++, we must first discuss what single inheritance and multiple inheritance is. When multiple classes inherit from a common base class, we refer to it as hierarchical inheritance (i.e., Dog, Cat, and Horse all inheriting from Animal). Being able to build hierarchical class structures is extremely crucial as a C++ developer as we need it for many different programs.

Imagine a digital family tree where the grandparent class, Animal, represents the shared characteristics of all animals. From this root, various derived classes emerge: Dog, Cat, Horse, each inheriting traits like age, name, and the ability to eat(). However, each class also boasts unique qualities: Dog might bark(), Cat could meow(), and Horse might gallop().

Advantages of Hierarchical Inheritance in C++

Here are the advantages of hierarchical inheritance in C++:

• Code reusability: The base class provides a foundation of common attributes and methods, eliminating the need to rewrite code in each derived class.

• Maintainability: Changes to the base class automatically propagate to all derived classes, simplifying updates and bug fixes.

• Real-world modeling: Hierarchical inheritance in C++ mirrors real-world relationships, making code more intuitive and easier to understand. For instance, different types of animals share common traits (inherited from the Animal class) but also have unique characteristics.
  

Core Concepts of Hierarchical Inheritance in C++

Let us first learn the core concepts of hierarchical inheritance such as class hierarchy in C++ and the syntax.

Base Class (The Ancestor)

At the heart of hierarchical inheritance in C++ lies the base class, also known as the parent or superclass. It serves as the blueprint for its descendants, holding common properties and behaviors that all derived classes will share. In our animal kingdom analogy, Animal would be the base class, defining shared traits like age, name, and the eat() function.

Derived Classes (The Descendants)

Derived classes, also known as child or subclasses, are the offspring of the base class. They inherit the attributes and methods of their parent while adding their unique characteristics. For example, Dog, Cat, and Horse are derived classes of Animal, each inheriting common traits but also having their own special abilities like barking, meowing, or galloping.

Syntax of Hierarchical Inheritance in C++

In C++, we establish this parent-child relationship using this syntax:

In the above code snippet:

• class DerivedClass: This declares the new class we're creating.
• : public BaseClass: This indicates that DerivedClass inherits from BaseClass. The keyword public signifies public inheritance, the most common type. We will explore other inheritance types (protected and private) later.
• // Additional members ...: This is where you add any unique attributes or methods that are specific to the DerivedClass.
  

The Family Tree of Inheritance

The family tree analogy helps visualize the flow of inheritance and the relationships between classes. It also makes it easier to understand how hierarchical inheritance promotes code reusability and maintainability while modeling real-world scenarios. Imagine a family tree where each generation represents a class in our code:

How traits pass down:

• Grandparents (base class): They possess foundational traits like eye color, hair type, or a knack for storytelling.
• Parents (derived class 1): They inherit these traits from their parents while adding their own unique characteristics like a love of music or a talent for cooking.
• Children (derived class 2): They inherit traits from both their parents and grandparents, creating a blend of family history and individuality. Some may even develop entirely new talents.
  

Connecting the Analogy to Code

In our C++ code, the analogy translates beautifully:

• Base class: Like grandparents, the base class defines the fundamental properties and behaviors (member variables and functions) that are shared by all its descendants.
• Derived classes (level 1): Like parents, these classes inherit the traits of the base class and extend them with additional members specific to their own identity.
• Derived classes (level 2): Like children, these classes inherit traits from both their parent class and the grandparent (base) class, forming a multi-generational hierarchy.

Example:

In the above example:

• Shape (base class): Defines basic properties like color and area.
• Polygon (derived class 1): Inherits from Shape and adds properties like numSides.
• Triangle, Rectangle (derived class 2): Inherit from Polygon and further specialize with unique properties and methods (e.g., base, height for Triangle, width, length for Rectangle).
  

Simple Hierarchical Inheritance in C++ Example

Let us lay the foundation for creating a rich and diverse animal kingdom within our C++ code with a simple structure.

Code:

In this hierarchical inheritance in C++ program, we define the Animal class with common attributes (age, name) and a common behavior (eat()). Dog and Cat inherit from Animal, gaining access to age, name, and the ability to eat(). Finally, Dog adds its unique bark() method, while Cat adds its unique meow() method.

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The Order of Construction and Destruction

When it comes to hierarchy inheritance in C++, the creation and destruction of objects follow a specific order, much like a chain reaction. This strict order is crucial to ensure that objects are constructed and destroyed in a consistent and predictable way.

It guarantees that the derived class constructor can rely on the base class having already been constructed, allowing it to safely use inherited members. It also ensures that during destruction, the derived class can clean up its own resources before the base class releases the underlying memory.

1. Base class constructor: The constructor of the base class is called first. This is essential because the base class lays the foundation for the object, setting up its initial state and memory allocation.

2. Derived class constructor(s): Next, the constructor of the derived class is called. This constructor can further initialize any additional members specific to the derived class. The derived class constructor may also call the base class constructor using a member initializer list to set up the inherited members properly.

3. Object creation: Once both constructors have run, the object is considered fully constructed and ready for use.

The destruction process reverses this order:

1. Derived class destructor: The destructor of the derived class is called first to clean up any resources it allocated.

2. Base class destructor: Finally, the destructor of the base class is called to release any memory or resources it holds.
   

Example: The Animal Hierarchy (Revisited)

Let's revisit our Animal, Dog, and Cat example to see constructors and destructors in action:

Visibility Modes: Controlling Access to Inherited Members

In C++, the way a derived class inherits from a base class determines how accessible the base class's members (variables and functions) are within the derived class and to the outside world. These visibility modes are controlled by the keywords public, protected, and private used in the inheritance syntax.

Public Inheritance (Default & Most Common)

This is the most intuitive and commonly used inheritance mode. It allows the derived class to extend the base class's functionality while maintaining the same level of access control.

Inheritance syntax: class DerivedClass : public BaseClass { ... };

Access rules:

• Public members of the base class remain public in the derived class.
• Protected members of the base class remain protected in the derived class.
• Private members of the base class are inaccessible to the derived class (but they are still inherited).
  

Protected Inheritance (Limited Access)

Protected inheritance restricts the access of public members to the derived class and any further derived classes (grandchildren, etc.). It's useful when you want to expose certain members only to descendants while hiding them from external code.

Inheritance syntax: class DerivedClass : protected BaseClass { ... };

Access rules:

• Public members of the base class become protected in the derived class.
• Protected members of the base class remain protected in the derived class.
• Private members of the base class are inaccessible to the derived class.
  

Private Inheritance (Implementation Detail)

Private inheritance treats the base class as an implementation detail of the derived class. Inherited members are essentially hidden within the derived class and cannot be accessed directly by its objects or any further derived classes. This is often used when you want to reuse code from the base class without exposing its interface to the outside world.

Inheritance syntax: class DerivedClass : private BaseClass { ... };

Access rules:

• Public and protected members of the base class become private in the derived class.
• Private members of the base class are inaccessible to the derived class.
  

Hierarchical Inheritance in C++ Overriding: Adapting Behavior

In hierarchical inheritance, derived classes often need to modify or specialize the behavior of methods inherited from the base class. This is where overriding comes in. Overriding allows a derived class to provide its own implementation for a function that is already defined in its base class.

Virtual Functions and Polymorphism

To enable overriding, you must declare the base class function as virtual. A virtual function acts as a placeholder, signaling to the compiler that derived classes might provide their own specific implementations. This is a crucial ingredient for polymorphism, the ability of objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common base class.

The override keyword (introduced in C++11) is a specifier used in the derived class's function declaration. It serves two purposes:

• Explicit intent: It makes it clear that you intend to override the base class's virtual function.
• Compiler check: It helps the compiler catch errors if you accidentally misspell the function name or change its parameters, which would lead to unexpected behavior.

Function overriding in hierarchical inheritance real time example:

Code:

You can try out the above hierarchical inheritance in C++ example yourself to experiment with override. In this example, the base class Shape declares area() and perimeter() as virtual functions. The default implementation returns 0.0. Rectangle overrides these functions with its own specific calculations.

The main function creates an array of Shape pointers, which can point to objects of any derived class (Rectangle, Circle, etc.). When area() or perimeter() is called on a Shape pointer, the correct version of the function is dynamically determined at runtime based on the actual object type (polymorphism).

Final Tips

Hierarchical inheritance in C++ is not just a theoretical concept, it is a practical skill that can elevate your C++ programming. The best way to solidify your understanding is to put it into practice.

Also, we should choose wisely between public, protected, and private inheritance to control access to inherited members and tailor your class relationships. Finally, always remember the strict order of their execution to ensure proper object initialization and cleanup.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is hierarchical inheritance in C++?

Hierarchical inheritance is an object-oriented concept where multiple derived classes inherit properties and behaviors from a single base class.

2. How does hierarchical inheritance work?

Derived classes inherit the members (variables and functions) of the base class and can add their own unique members.

3. What are the advantages of hierarchical inheritance?

It promotes code reusability, simplifies maintenance, and models real-world relationships effectively.

4. How do you implement hierarchical inheritance in C++?

Use the syntax class DerivedClass : public BaseClass { ... };, specifying the access mode (public, protected, or private).

5. What is the function of hierarchical inheritance?

It organizes classes into a tree-like structure, representing a "is-a" relationship, and promotes modular code design.

6. Where is hierarchical structure used?

It's used in many software systems, like modeling biological classifications, organizing employee hierarchies, or representing geometric shapes.