Abstract Classes - Kamills-12/2143-OOP GitHub Wiki

Abstract Classes

Kade Miller

What’s an Abstract Class?

An abstract class is a base class that’s never meant to be used directly. It’s more like a template for other classes to build from.

What makes a class “abstract”?
It has at least one pure virtual function, which means any class that inherits from it has to implement that function.

Why Use It?

  • You want to set rules for your subclasses.
  • You want to share code.
  • It helps with abstraction by hiding details and only exposing what the child classes need.

Quick Example in C++

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

// Abstract class
class Weapon {
public:
    virtual void attack() = 0;  // pure virtual function

    void reload() {
        cout << "Reloading..." << endl;
    }

    virtual ~Weapon() = default;
};

// Concrete class
class Sword : public Weapon {
public:
    void attack() override {
        cout << "Swinging sword!" << endl;
    }
};

class Bow : public Weapon {
public:
    void attack() override {
        cout << "Firing arrow!" << endl;
    }
};

int main() {
    Weapon* w1 = new Sword();
    Weapon* w2 = new Bow();

    w1->attack();  // Swinging sword!
    w2->attack();  // Firing arrow!
    w1->reload();  // Inherited method

    delete w1;
    delete w2;
    return 0;
}
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