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Thinking in C++
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Pure virtual definitions

It’s possible to provide a definition for a pure virtual function in the base class. You’re still telling the compiler not to allow objects of that abstract base class, and the pure virtual functions must still be defined in derived classes in order to create objects. However, there may be a common piece of code that you want some or all of the derived class definitions to call rather than duplicating that code in every function.

Here’s what a pure virtual definition looks like:

//: C15:PureVirtualDefinitions.cpp
// Pure virtual base definitions
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class Pet {
public:
  virtual void speak() const = 0;
  virtual void eat() const = 0;
  // Inline pure virtual definitions illegal:
  //!  virtual void sleep() const = 0 {}
};

// OK, not defined inline
void Pet::eat() const {
  cout << "Pet::eat()" << endl;
}

void Pet::speak() const { 
  cout << "Pet::speak()" << endl;
}

class Dog : public Pet {
public:
  // Use the common Pet code:
  void speak() const { Pet::speak(); }
  void eat() const { Pet::eat(); }
};

int main() {
  Dog simba;  // Richard's dog
  simba.speak();
  simba.eat();
} ///:~

The slot in the Pet VTABLE is still empty, but there happens to be a function by that name that you can call in the derived class.

The other benefit to this feature is that it allows you to change from an ordinary virtual to a pure virtual without disturbing the existing code. (This is a way for you to locate classes that don’t override that virtual function.)

Thinking in C++
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   Reproduced courtesy of Bruce Eckel, MindView, Inc. Design by Interspire