Thread: Derived class doesn't see base class function

  1. #1
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    Nov 2009
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    Derived class doesn't see base class function

    I have a case where a derived class cannot see a virtual function defined in a public base class. The only explanation I can come up with is that C++ must have some kind of rule that says if you override a base class function with name "X", then you must override all base class functions having the same name. Is this a rule? See the following example:

    Code:
    class base
    {
    public:
      virtual int func();
      virtual void func(int arg1,int arg2);	
      virtual void func2(int arg1,int arg2) { func(arg1,arg2); }
    };
    
    class derived : public base
    {
    public:
      // override func(), but not func(arg1,arg2)
      virtual int func();
    };
    
    void test
    {
      derived xyz;
      int i = xyz.func();  // compiles OK
      xyz.func(1,2);           // compilation error: "func() does not take two arguments"
      xyz.func2(1,2); // compiles OK
    };
    Last edited by ejubenville; 11-11-2009 at 12:10 PM. Reason: coding error in example

  2. #2
    C++ Witch laserlight's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ejubenville
    The only explanation I can come up with is that C++ must have some kind of rule that says if you override a base class function with name "X", then you must override all base class functions having the same name. Is this a rule?
    Not quite. The rule is that a member name in the derived class hides members of the same name in the base class. You can bring in those hidden names by using a using declaration:
    Code:
    class derived : public base
    {
    public:
      using base::func;
      // override func(), but not func(arg1,arg2)
      virtual int func();
    };
    Quote Originally Posted by Bjarne Stroustrup (2000-10-14)
    I get maybe two dozen requests for help with some sort of programming or design problem every day. Most have more sense than to send me hundreds of lines of code. If they do, I ask them to find the smallest example that exhibits the problem and send me that. Mostly, they then find the error themselves. "Finding the smallest program that demonstrates the error" is a powerful debugging tool.
    Look up a C++ Reference and learn How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

  3. #3
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    Problem solved

    Thanks!

    The "using" declaration fixed the hidden names!

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