C++ Class Hierarchy refers to the relationship between classes in C++. Classes can inherit from other classes, allowing them to reuse and extend the functionality of existing classes. This creates a hierarchy of classes, where classes can be grouped into a parent-child relationship based on their inheritance.
The base class, also known as the parent class, is the class that is being inherited from. The derived class, also known as the child class, is the class that is inheriting from the base class. The derived class can access all the public and protected members of the base class, and can also have its own members.
C++ supports single inheritance, where a class can inherit from only one base class, and multiple inheritance, where a class can inherit from multiple base classes. Multiple inheritance can sometimes lead to complex relationships between classes and can be difficult to maintain, so it is often advised to use single inheritance where possible.
Inheritance provides a way to create new classes that are similar to existing classes, but with additional or modified functionality. For example, you can create a derived class for a shape class that adds color to the shape. The derived class can inherit all the members of the base class and add its own members to represent the color.
Inheritance also allows you to create a hierarchy of classes that can be used to model real-world objects and their relationships. For example, you can create a base class for animals and then create derived classes for different types of animals such as cats, dogs, and birds. This creates a class hierarchy that represents the relationships between different types of animals.
In conclusion, C++ Class Hierarchy is a fundamental concept in C++ that allows classes to inherit from other classes and extend their functionality. It provides a way to create new classes that are similar to existing classes and allows you to create a hierarchy of classes that can be used to model real-world objects and their relationships.
