Virtual functions are dynamically bound at runtime.
Late binding, or dynamic binding, occurs at runtime. Early binding, or static binding, occurs at compile time. The difference between the two is that, with early binding, the compiler knows exactly which function will be called in advance and can statically bind to that function during compilation. With late binding, the compiler does not know which function will be called in advance, it only knows the function signature. Thus the binding has to be done at runtime. For example, if you call a virtual function of a base class, the compiler cannot determine in advance the exact type of the derivative (in some cases it may not be derived at all). All it knows is that you've called the base class method and that an override may or may not exist at runtime. Thus the exact method to be called will ultimately be determined at runtime, via the derived class' virtual table. Note that although the derived class is itself late bound (because the compiler cannot know the exact type of a derivative that may be made available in the future), only the virtual methods of the base class need to be late bound. Non-virtual methods can be statically bound, since they are never expected to be overridden. Calling virtual methods is actually no different to using function pointers within your code (a virtual table is simply an array of function pointers, with one table per base class, and another for each of its derivatives). Again, the compiler cannot know in advance where a function pointer will actually be pointing at compile time, thus the call must be dynamically bound at runtime.
disadvantage of friend functions is that they require an extra lineof code when you want dynamic binding. To get the effect of a virtual friend,the friend function should call a hidden (usually protected:) virtual[20]member function.Read more: Demerits_of_friend_function
A pure-virtual function is a function that must be overridden in derived classes. You simply add "=0" to the end of the function declaration. class AbstractClass { public: virtual void DoSomething()=0; // Pure-virtual. };
No, inlining is done at compile time whereas virtual functions are resolved at run time(late binding). So, virtual functions can't be inlined. Both properties are orthogonal.Inlining is a mere suggestion the compiler may ignore it if it is declared with virtual function.
In its simplest definition, "binding", when referred to in the context of any computer programming language, describes how a variable is created and used (or "bound") by and within the given program and, possibly, by other programs, as well. However, there are other definitions for "binding" in computer programming languages, which would take too long to list and explain, especially given the broad nature of the question.
Dynamic binding is achieved via virtual functions and the virtual table that is associated with every class that declares or inherits a virtual function. The virtual table (or v-table) maps every virtual function (including pure-virtual functions) to a function pointer that points to the most-derived overload. This makes it possible to invoke specific behaviour even when the runtime type of the object is unknown to the caller.
Virtual functions.
disadvantage of friend functions is that they require an extra lineof code when you want dynamic binding. To get the effect of a virtual friend,the friend function should call a hidden (usually protected:) virtual[20]member function.Read more: Demerits_of_friend_function
Late binding, or dynamic binding, occurs at runtime. Early binding, or static binding, occurs at compile time. The difference between the two is that, with early binding, the compiler knows exactly which function will be called in advance and can statically bind to that function during compilation. With late binding, the compiler does not know which function will be called in advance, it only knows the function signature. Thus the binding has to be done at runtime. For example, if you call a virtual function of a base class, the compiler cannot determine in advance the exact type of the derivative (in some cases it may not be derived at all). All it knows is that you've called the base class method and that an override may or may not exist at runtime. Thus the exact method to be called will ultimately be determined at runtime, via the derived class' virtual table. Note that although the derived class is itself late bound (because the compiler cannot know the exact type of a derivative that may be made available in the future), only the virtual methods of the base class need to be late bound. Non-virtual methods can be statically bound, since they are never expected to be overridden. Calling virtual methods is actually no different to using function pointers within your code (a virtual table is simply an array of function pointers, with one table per base class, and another for each of its derivatives). Again, the compiler cannot know in advance where a function pointer will actually be pointing at compile time, thus the call must be dynamically bound at runtime.
disadvantage of friend functions is that they require an extra lineof code when you want dynamic binding. To get the effect of a virtual friend,the friend function should call a hidden (usually protected:) virtual[20]member function.Read more: Demerits_of_friend_function
A pure-virtual function is a function that must be overridden in derived classes. You simply add "=0" to the end of the function declaration. class AbstractClass { public: virtual void DoSomething()=0; // Pure-virtual. };
No, inlining is done at compile time whereas virtual functions are resolved at run time(late binding). So, virtual functions can't be inlined. Both properties are orthogonal.Inlining is a mere suggestion the compiler may ignore it if it is declared with virtual function.
In its simplest definition, "binding", when referred to in the context of any computer programming language, describes how a variable is created and used (or "bound") by and within the given program and, possibly, by other programs, as well. However, there are other definitions for "binding" in computer programming languages, which would take too long to list and explain, especially given the broad nature of the question.
A virtual function table is a table of pointers to functions.
Virtual functions are used to suport runtime polymorphism.In C++,if we have inheritance and we have overridden functions in the inherited classes,we can declare a base class pointer and make it to point to the objects of derived classes.When we give a keyword virtual to the base class functions,the compiler will no do static binding,so during runtime ,the base class pointer can be used to call the functions of the derived classes.Thus virtual functions support dynamic polymorphism.
Binding constraint limits the value of the objective function.
Virtual Functions and Pure Virtual Functions are relevant in the context of class inheritance.Unlike Virtual Functions, Pure Virtual Functions do not require a body. This implies that when a base class defining such a function is inherited, the derived class must implement that function. Furthermore, the base class becomes abstract; meaning you cannot create an instance of the base class even if a body is implemented for the function. You are expected to derive from abstract classes; only the derived classes that implement all the inherited Pure Virtual functions can be instantiated.Here are some examples of Virtual and Pure Virtual function signatures:- Virtual Function: E.g. virtual void myFunction();- Pure Virtual Function: E.g. virtual void myFunction() = 0;