Types of inheritance in C++ - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Types of inheritance

Base Class

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Single Inheritance

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Base Class

↓

Derived1

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Multiple Inheritance

↓

Base1

↓

Derived

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Base

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Derived1

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Derived2

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Base

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Derived1

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Derived2

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Derived3

Shows how classes inherit from one or more base classes in different ways: single, multiple, multilevel, hierarchical, and hybrid inheritance.

Execution Sample

C++

class Base {
public:
  int x = 10;
};

class Derived : public Base {
public:
  int y = 20;
};

Defines a base class with a variable and a derived class that inherits it and adds another variable.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Class	Variable Accessed	Value	Explanation
1	Create Base object	Base	x	10	Base class object has x=10
2	Create Derived object	Derived	x	10	Derived inherits x from Base
3	Access Derived.y	Derived	y	20	Derived class own variable y=20
4	Access Derived.x	Derived	x	10	Derived accesses inherited x=10
5	End	-	-	-	Execution ends

💡 All variables accessed and inheritance verified, program ends.

Variable Tracker

Variable	Base Object	Derived Object
x	10	10
y	-	20

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why can Derived access variable x even though it is declared in Base?

Because Derived inherits from Base, it gets all public members like x. See execution_table row 4 where Derived.x is 10.

What happens if we create an object of Base and try to access y?

Base does not have y, so accessing y on Base object is invalid. See execution_table row 1 where only x exists.

How does multiple inheritance differ from single inheritance?

Multiple inheritance means a class inherits from more than one base class, combining their members. Single inheritance inherits from only one base class.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the value of x in the Derived object at step 4?

A 10

B 20

C 0

D Undefined

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 4 where Derived.x is accessed.

At which step does the Derived object get its own variable y initialized?

A Step 1

B Step 2

C Step 3

D Step 4

💡 Hint

Look at execution_table row 3 where Derived.y is accessed.

If we add another base class and inherit from both, what type of inheritance is this?

A Single inheritance

B Multiple inheritance

C Multilevel inheritance

D Hierarchical inheritance

💡 Hint

Refer to concept_flow diagram showing multiple inheritance with two base classes.

Concept Snapshot

Types of inheritance in C++:
- Single: One base, one derived.
- Multiple: One derived, multiple bases.
- Multilevel: Chain of inheritance.
- Hierarchical: One base, many derived.
- Hybrid: Combination of above.
Derived classes inherit members from base classes.

Full Transcript

This visual execution shows different types of inheritance in C++. We start with a base class having a variable x. A derived class inherits from it and adds variable y. The execution table traces creating objects and accessing variables, showing how inheritance works. Key moments clarify why derived classes can access base members and differences between inheritance types. The quiz tests understanding of variable values and inheritance types. The concept snapshot summarizes the main inheritance types and their behavior.