Base Class: A base class is a class in Object-Oriented Programming language, from which other classes are derived. The class which inherits the base class has all members of a base class as well as can also have some additional properties. The Base class members and member functions are inherited to Object of the derived class. A base class is also called parent class or superclass.
Derived Class: A class that is created from an existing class. The derived class inherits all members and member functions of a base class. The derived class can have more functionality with respect to the Base class and can easily access the Base class. A Derived class is also called a child class or subclass.
Syntax for creating Derive Class:
class BaseClass{ // members.... // member function } class DerivedClass : public BaseClass{ // members.... // member function }
Difference between Base Class and Derived Class:
S.No. | BASE CLASS | DERIVED CLASS |
---|---|---|
1. |
A class from which properties are inherited. | A class from which is inherited from the base class. |
2. |
It is also known as parent class or superclass. | It is also known as child class subclass. |
3. |
It cannot inherit properties and methods of Derived Class. | It can inherit properties and methods of Base Class. |
4. |
Syntax: class BaseClass{ |
Syntax: class DerivedClass : access_specifier BaseClass{ |
Below is the program to illustrate Base Class and Derived Class:
// C++ program to illustrate // Base & Derived Class #include <iostream> using namespace std;
// Declare Base Class class Base {
public :
int a;
}; // Declare Derived Class class Derived : public Base {
public :
int b;
}; // Driver Code int main()
{ // Initialise a Derived class geeks
Derived geeks;
// Assign value to Derived class variable
geeks.b = 3;
// Assign value to Base class variable
// via derived class
geeks.a = 4;
cout << "Value from derived class: "
<< geeks.b << endl;
cout << "Value from base class: "
<< geeks.a << endl;
return 0;
} |
Value from derived class: 3 Value from base class: 4