Passing an Abstract class to an abstract Class member function

Hi

I have an abstract class whose some of member functions accepts parameters of type as the same abstract class.

Code:

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class virtualC {
public:
  virtual void function1() = 0;
  virtual string function2(virtualC &k) = 0;
};

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My question is, why do I have to pass a reference instead of object itself?

Thanks in advance

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fnoyan

My question is, why do I have to pass a reference instead of object itself?

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So that the function can take references to objects of the derived classes too (without splicing).
Also, copying a big fat object isn't something you'd want to do often.

To pass an "object itself" (more accurately, pass by value) it is necessary to create an temporary virtualC that is a copy of the object passed. Creating an instance of an abstract class is not permitted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grumpy

To pass an "object itself" (more accurately, pass by value) it is necessary to create an temporary virtualC that is a copy of the object passed. Creating an instance of an abstract class is not permitted.

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Well, then this should also work

Code:

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virtual string function2(virtualC *k) = 0;

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Yes, it would work, but why would you do it? Why not use a reference?