Multipath inheritance in C++
A feature or method called inheritance allows for the creation of new classes from preexisting ones. The preexisting class is referred to as the "base class" or "parent class", while the newly formed class is termed the "derived class" or "child class". It is now said that the derived class has been inherited from the base class.
In C++, a class can inherit from other derived classes that share the same base class through a process known as multipath inheritance. Some inheritance patterns, such as multiple, multilevel, hierarchical, etc., are involved in this sort of inheritance.
Multipath inheritance is merging multiple inheritance types while generating subclasses within a program.
In C++, multipath programming is characterized by the combination of multiple inheritance, single inheritance, and hierarchical inheritance. A subclass inherits properties from several superclasses, as was previously mentioned, under multiple inheritance.
In C++, multipath inheritance is another name for hybrid inheritance. This is understood because a subclass can inherit or derive characteristics from the superclass in a different number of ways. As a result, multipath inheritance is typically used when multiple forms of inheritance are required.
The method of multipath inheritance is nicely illustrated in the diagram below:
The hybrid inheritance shown in the above graphic is as follows:
- In C++, hybrid inheritance is the result of combining single and multiple inheritance.
- Class D inherits from two additional classes when there is multiple inheritance. It comes from Class C as well as Class B.
- In a similar vein, Class B has descended from Class A for a single inheritance. As a result, hybrid inheritance is a series of different inheritance paths.
Examples:
1. The mixture of Single Inheritance and Multilevel:
You may use the actual instance of the lifecycle procedure in the natural system to illustrate this combination.
Puppy represents class C, Animalrepresents class A, Dog indicates class B, and Second_Puppy recommends class D.
#include <iostream> using namespace std; class Animals { public: Animals() { cout<< "This is a living thing \n"; } }; class Dog: public Animals { public: Dog() { cout<< "This is a Dog\n"; } }; class Puppy: public Dog { public: Puppy() { cout<< "This is a Puppy\n"; } }; class Second_Puppy: public Puppy { public: Second_Puppy() { cout<< "This is a second puppy\n"; } }; int main() { Second_Puppy s; return 0; }
This C++ program defines an inheritance-based class structure. Animals is the foundation class from which Dog, Puppy, and Second_Puppy are extended. The constructors of every class in the hierarchy are called whenever a new instance for Second_Puppy is generated in the main() function. This displays the sequence in which constructor execution occurs by printing statements for each class.
Output:
2. Combining single inheritance with multiple inheritance:
Expand on the theoretical examples from before by turning them into a practical situation. Class B is a child, Class C is an adult, and Class D is a female. Class A is the human class. A child is a member of the Human class, while a female is a hybrid of an adult and a child. This relationship defines the link between multiple inheritance and single inheritance.
#include <iostream> using namespace std; class Human { public: Human() { cout<< "This is a Human\n"; } }; class Child: public Human { public: Child() { cout<< "This is a child\n"; } }; class Adult { public: Adult() { cout<< "This is an Adult\n"; } }; class Female: public Child, public Adult { public: Female() { cout<< "A female can be a Child or an Adult\n"; } }; int main() { Female c; return 0; }
Classes for adults, children, females, and humans are defined in this C++ program. The Female class exhibits multiple inheritance since it inherits from both the Child and the Adult. Constructors for all related classes are called when creating an instance of Female, producing output messages for every class along the inheritance structure.
Output:
A class that inherits from two or more classes that are themselves descended from a common base class is said to have multipath inheritance in C++. If not handled appropriately, it may result in the "diamond problem" and ambiguity. It is still helpful in some situations, though. Multipath inheritance is frequently used to create intricate class hierarchies or to simulate real-world relationships in which there are several ways to access a shared base class.