Base Class: A base class is a class in Object-Oriented Programming language, from which other classes are derived. The class which inherits the base class has all members of a base class as well as can also have some additional properties. The Base class members and member functions are inherited to Object of the derived class. A base class is also called parent class or superclass.
Derived Class: A class that is created from an existing class. The derived class inherits all members and member functions of a base class. The derived class can have more functionality with respect to the Base class and can easily access the Base class. A Derived class is also called a child class or subclass.
Syntax for creating Derive Class:
class BaseClass{
// members....
// member function
}
class DerivedClass : public BaseClass{
// members....
// member function
}
Difference between Base Class and Derived Class:
| S.No. | BASE CLASS | DERIVED CLASS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | A class from which properties are inherited. | A class from which is inherited from the base class. |
| 2. | It is also known as parent class or superclass. | It is also known as child class subclass. |
| 3. | It cannot inherit properties and methods of Derived Class. | It can inherit properties and methods of Base Class. |
| 4. |
Syntax: class BaseClass{ |
Syntax: class DerivedClass : access_specifier BaseClass{ |
Below is the program to illustrate Base Class and Derived Class:
// C++ program to illustrate
// Base & Derived Class
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// Declare Base Class
class Base {
public:
int a;
};
// Declare Derived Class
class Derived : public Base {
public:
int b;
};
// Driver Code
int main()
{
// Initialise a Derived class geeks
Derived geeks;
// Assign value to Derived class variable
geeks.b = 3;
// Assign value to Base class variable
// via derived class
geeks.a = 4;
cout << "Value from derived class: "
<< geeks.b << endl;
cout << "Value from base class: "
<< geeks.a << endl;
return 0;
}
Output:
Value from derived class: 3 Value from base class: 4