Thread: Polymorphism Problem

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    7

    Polymorphism Problem

    I was writing this simple polymorphism program:

    Shape.h
    Code:
    #ifndef SHAPE_H
    #define SHAPE_H
    #include <string>
    
    using namespace std;
    
    class Shape
    {
    public:
    	virtual double getArea() const;
    	virtual double getVolume() const;
    	virtual string getName() const = 0;
    	virtual void print() const = 0;
    };
    
    #endif
    Shape.cpp
    Code:
    #include <iostream>
    #include "Shape.h"
    
    using namespace std;
    
    double getArea() const
    {
    	return 0.0;
    }
    
    double getVolume() const
    {
    	return 0.0;
    }
    When I compile Shape.cpp using Visual C++ 6.0 it come out with errors message:
    Shape.cpp(7) : error C2270: 'getArea' : modifiers not allowed on nonmember functions
    Shape.cpp(12) : error C2270: 'getVolume' : modifiers not allowed on nonmember functions

  2. #2
    The superhaterodyne twomers's Avatar
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    Dec 2005
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    Ireland
    Posts
    2,273
    >> double getArea() const

    In Shape.cpp
    Code:
    double Shape::getArea() const { ... }
    Same with getVolume()

  3. #3
    C++ Witch laserlight's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Singapore
    Posts
    28,412
    twomers already answered your question, but might also consider these pointers:

    1. Fully qualify all names used in header files. For example, use std::string instead of string. The reason is that someone who includes your header file might have say, a class named string (for guitar strings?), and consequently there will be a name collision.

    2. Since Shape is a base class, it should have a virtual destructor. I am not entirely sure if this matters when you do not have any member variables, but it is good practice anyway.
    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

  4. #4
    Cat without Hat CornedBee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    8,895
    It matters. Functions with virtual member functions always have state. (Typically the vptr, but that's an implementation detail.) Deleting an object through a base pointer is always undefined behaviour if the base doesn't have a virtual destructor. That's just how it is. Just because one implementation might not crash is no reason to omit it.
    All the buzzt!
    CornedBee

    "There is not now, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be, any programming language in which it is the least bit difficult to write bad code."
    - Flon's Law

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