C++ | Virtual Functions | Question 12

Predict the output of following C++ program. Assume that there is no alignment and a typical implementation of virtual functions is done by the compiler.

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class A
{
public:
    virtual void fun();
};

class B
{
public:
   void fun();
};

int main()
{
    int a = sizeof(A), b = sizeof(B);
    if (a == b) cout << "a == b";
    else if (a > b) cout << "a > b";
    else cout << "a < b";
    return 0;
}

(A) a > b
(B) a == b
(C) a < b
(D) Compiler Error


Answer: (A)

Explanation: Class A has a VPTR which is not there in class B.

In a typical implementation of virtual functions, compiler places a VPTR with every object. Compiler secretly adds some code in every constructor to this.

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