COMP6771

Advanced C++ Programming

Week 9

Runtime Polymorphism

Dynamic polymorphism or Late binding

Key concepts

Inheritance: ability to create new classes based on existing ones
- Supported by class derivation
Polymorphism: allows objects of a subclass to be used as if they were objects of a base class
- Supported via virtual functions
In dynamic polymorphism, the function call is resolved at run time.
Dynamic binding: run-time resolution of the appropriate function to invoke based on the type of the object
- Closely related to polymorphism
- Supported via virtual functions

Tenets of C++

Don't pay for what you don't use
- C++ Supports OOP
  - No runtime performance penalty
- C++ supports generic programming with the STL and templates
  - No runtime performance penalty
- Polymorphism is extremely powerful, and we need it in C++
  - Do we need polymorphism at all when using inheritance?
    - Answer: sometimes
    - But how do we do so, considering that we don't want to make anyone who doesn't use it pay a performance penalty

Thinking about programming

Represent concepts with classes
Represent relations with inheritance or composition
- Inheritance: A is also a B, and can do everything B does
  - "is a" relationship
  - A dog is an animal
- Composition (data member): A contains a B, but isn't a B itself
  - "has a" relationship
  - A person has a name
- Choose the right one!

Protected members

Protected is a keyword we can use instead of public / private
Protected members are accessible only to the class, or any subclass of it

Inheritance in C++

To inherit off classes in C++, we use "class DerivedClass: public BaseClass"
Visibility can be one of:
- public (generally use this unless you have good reason not to)
  - If you don't want public, you should (usually) use composition
- protected
- private
Visibility is the maximum visibility allowed
- If you specify ": private BaseClass", then the maximum visibility is private
  - Any BaseClass members that were public or protected are now private

Inheritance and memory layout

This is very important, as it guides the design of everything we discuss this week

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_int_member() { return int_member_; }
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass"
  };

 private:
  int int_member_;
  std::string string_member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  std::vector<int> vector_member_;
  std::unique_ptr<int> ptr_member_;
}

BaseClass object

int_member_
string_member_

SubClass object

int_member_
string_member_

vector_member_
ptr_member_

BaseClass subobject

SubClass subobject

Polymorphism and values

How many bytes is a BaseClass instance?
How many bytes is a SubClass instance?
One of the guiding principles of C++ is "You don't pay for what you don't use"
- Let's discuss the following code, but pay great consideration to the memory layout

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_member() { return member_; }
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass";
  };

 private:
  int member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  int subclass_data_;
}

void print_class_name(BaseClass base) {
  std::cout << base.get_class_name()
            << ' ' << base.get_member()
            << '\n';
}

int main() {
  BaseClass base_class;
  SubClass subclass;
  print_class_name(base_class);
  print_class_name(subclass);
}

demo901-poly.cpp

The object slicing problem

If you declare a BaseClass variable, how big is it?
How can the compiler allocate space for it on the stack, when it doesn't know how big it could be?
The solution: since we care about performance, a BaseClass can only store a BaseClass, not a SubClass
- If we try to fill that value with a SubClass, then it just fills it with the BaseClass subobject, and drops the SubClass subobject

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_member() { return member_; }
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass";
  };

 private:
  int member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  int subclass_data_;
}

void print_class_name(BaseClass base) {
  std::cout << base.get_class_name()
            << ' ' << base.get_member()
            << '\n';
}

int main() {
  BaseClass base_class;
  SubClass subclass;
  print_class_name(base_class);
  print_class_name(subclass);
}

demo901-poly.cpp

Polymorphism and References

How big is a reference/pointer to a BaseClass
How big is a reference/pointer to a SubClass
Object slicing problem solved (but still another problem)
One of the guiding principles of C++ is "You don't pay for what you don't use"
- How does the compiler decide which version of GetClassName to call?
  - When does the compiler decide this? Compile or runtime?
- How can it ensure that calling GetMember doesn't have similar overhead

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_member() { return member_; }
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass";
  };

 private:
  int member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string get_class_name() {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  int subclass_data_;
}

void print_class_name(BaseClass& base) {
  std::cout << base.get_class_name()
            << ' ' << base.get_member()
            << '\n';
}

int main() {
  BaseClass base_class;
  SubClass subclass;
  print_class_name(base_class);
  print_class_name(subclass);
}

demo902-poly.cpp

Virtual functions

How does the compiler decide which version of GetClassName to call?
How can it ensure that calling GetMember doesn't have similar overhead
- Explicitly tell the compiler that GetClassName is a function designed to be modified by subclasses
- Use the keyword "virtual" in the base class
- Use the keyword "override" in the subclass

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_member() { return member_; }
  virtual std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass"
  };

 private:
  int member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string GetClassName() override {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  int subclass_data_;
}

void print_stuff(const BaseClass& base) {
  std::cout << base.get_class_name()
            << ' ' << base.get_member()
            << '\n';
}

int main() {
  BaseClass base_class;
  SubClass subclass;
  print_class_name(base_class);
  print_class_name(subclass);
}

demo903-virt.cpp

Override

While override isn't required by the compiler, you should always use it
Override fails to compile if the function doesn't exist in the base class. This helps with:
- Typos
- Refactoring
- Const / non-const methods
- Slightly different signatures

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_member() { return member_; }
  virtual std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass"
  };

 private:
  int member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  // This compiles. But this is a
  // different function to the
  // BaseClass get_class_name.
  std::string get_class_name() const {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  int subclass_data_;
}

Virtual functions

class BaseClass {
 public:
  virtual std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass";
  };

 ~BaseClass() {
   std::cout << "Destructing base class\n";
 }
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string get_class_name() override {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 ~SubClass() {
   std::cout << "Destructing subclass\n";
 }
}

void print_stuff(const BaseClass& base_class) {
  std::cout << base_class.get_class_name()
      << ' ' << base_class.get_member()
      << '\n';
}

int main() {
  auto subclass = static_cast<std::unique_ptr<BaseClass>>(
    std::make_unique<SubClass>());
  std::cout << subclass->get_class_name();
}

So what happens when we start using virtual members?

demo904-virt.cpp

VTables

Each class has a VTable stored in the data segment
- A vtable is an array of function pointers that says which definition each virtual function points to for that class
If the VTable for a class is non-empty, then every member of that class has an additional data member that is a pointer to the vtable
When a virtual function is called on a reference or pointer type, then the program actually does the following
1. Follow the vtable pointer to get to the vtable
2. Increment by an offset, which is a constant for each function
3. Follow the function pointer at vtable[offset] and call the function

VTable example

Another example here

Final

Specifies to the compiler "this is not virtual for any subclasses"
If the compiler has a variable of type SubClass&, it now no longer needs to look it up in the vtable
This means static binding if you have a SubClass&, but dynamic binding for BaseClass&

class BaseClass {
 public:
  int get_member() { return member_; }
  virtual std::string get_class_name() {
    return "BaseClass"
  };

 private:
  int member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  std::string get_class_name() override final {
    return "SubClass";
  }

 private:
  int subclass_data_;
}

Types of functions

Syntax	Name	Meaning
virtual void fn() = 0;	pure virtual	Inherit interface only
virtual void fn() {}	virtual	Inherit interface with optional implementation
void fn() {}	nonvirtual	Inherit interface and mandatory implementation

Note: nonvirtuals can be hidden by writing a function with the same name in a subclass

DO NOT DO THIS

Abstract Base Classes (ABCs)

Might want to deal with a base class, but the base class by itself is nonsense
- What is the default way to draw a shape? How many sides by default?
- A function takes in a "Clickable"
Might want some default behaviour and data, but need others
- All files have a name, but are reads done over the network or from a disk
If a class has at least one "abstract" (pure virtual in C++) method, the class is abstract and cannot be constructed
- It can, however, have constructors and destructors
- These provide semantics for constructing and destructing the ABC subobject of any derived classes

Pure virtual functions

Virtual functions are good for when you have a default implementation that subclasses may want to overwrite
Sometimes there is no default available
A pure virtual function specifies a function that a class must override in order to not be abstract

class Shape {
  // Your derived class "Circle" may forget to write this.
  virtual void draw(Canvas&) {}

  // Fails at link time because there's no definition.
  virtual void draw(Canvas&);

  // Pure virtual function.
  virtual void draw(Canvas&) = 0;
};

Creating polymorphic objects

In a language like Java, everything is a pointer
- This allows for code like on the left
- Not possible in C++ due to objects being stored inline
  - This then leads to slicing problem
If you want to store a polymorphic object, use a pointer

// Java-style C++ here
// Don't do this.

auto base = std::vector<BaseClass>();
base.push_back(BaseClass{});
base.push_back(SubClass1{});
base.push_back(SubClass2{});

// Good C++ code
// But there's a potential problem here.
// (*very* hard to spot)

auto base = std::vector<std::unique_ptr<BaseClass>>();
base.push_back(std::make_unique<BaseClass>());
base.push_back(std::make_unique<Subclass1>());
base.push_back(std::make_unique<Subclass2>());

Inheritance and constructors

Every subclass constructor must call a base class constructor
- If none is manually called, the default constructor is used
- A subclass cannot initialise fields defined in the base class
- Abstract classes must have constructors

class BaseClass {
 public:
  BaseClass(int member): int_member_{member} {}

 private:
  int int_member_;
  std::string string_member_;
}

class SubClass: public BaseClass {
 public:
  SubClass(int member, std::unique_ptr<int>&& ptr): BaseClass(member), ptr_member_(std::move(ptr)) {}
  // Won't compile.
  SubClass(int member, std::unique_ptr<int>&& ptr): int_member_(member), ptr_member_(std::move(ptr)) {}
  
 private:
  std::vector<int> vector_member_;
  std::unique_ptr<int> ptr_member_;
}

Destructing polymorphic objects

Which constructor is called?
Which destructor is called?
What could the problem be?
- What would the consequences be?
How might we fix it, using the techniques we've already learnt?

// Simplification of previous slides code.

auto base = std::make_unique<BaseClass>();
auto subclass = std::make_unique<Subclass>();

Destructing polymorphic objects

Whenever you write a class intended to be inherited from, always make your destructor virtual
Remember: When you declare a destructor, the move constructor and assignment are not synthesized

class BaseClass {
  BaseClass(BaseClass&&) = default;
  BaseClass& operator=(BaseClass&&) = default;
  virtual ~BaseClass() = default;
}

Forgetting this can be a hard bug to spot

Static and dynamic types

Static type is the type it is declared as
Dynamic type is the type of the object itself
Static means compile-time, and dynamic means runtime
- Due to object slicing, an object that is neither reference or pointer always has the same static and dynamic type

int main() {
  auto base_class = BaseClass();
  auto subclass = SubClass();
  auto sub_copy = subclass;
  // The following could all be replaced with pointers
  // and have the same effect.
  const BaseClass& base_to_base{base_class};
  // Another reason to use auto - you can't accidentally do this.
  const BaseClass& base_to_sub{subclass};
  // Fails to compile
  const SubClass& sub_to_base{base_class};
  const SubClass& sub_to_sub{subclass};
  // Fails to compile (even though it refers to at a sub);
  const SubClass& sub_to_base_to_sub{base_to_sub};
}

Quiz - What's the static and dynamic types of each of these?

Static and dynamic binding

Static binding: Decide which function to call at compile time (based on static type)
Dynamic binding: Decide which function to call at runtime (based on dynamic type)
C++
- Statically typed (types are calculated at compile time)
- Static binding for non-virtual functions
- Dynamic binding for virtual functions
Java
- Statically typed
- Dynamic binding

Up-casting

Casting from a derived class to a base class is called up-casting
This cast is always safe
- All dogs are animals
Because the cast is always safe, C++ allows this as an implicit cast
One of the reasons to use auto is that it avoids implicit casts

auto dog = Dog();

// Up-cast with references.
Animal& animal = dog;
// Up-cast with pointers.
Animal* animal = &dog;

Down-casting

Casting from a base class to a derived class is called down-casting
This cast is not safe
- Not all animals are dogs

auto dog = Dog();
auto cat = Cat();
Animal& animal_dog{dog};
Animal& animal_cat{cat};

// Attempt to down-cast with references.
// Neither of these compile.
// Why not?
Dog& dog_ref{animal_dog};
Dog& dog_ref{animal_cat};

How to down cast

The compiler doesn't know if an Animal happens to be a Dog
- If you know it is, you can use static_cast
- Otherwise, you can use dynamic_cast
  - Returns null pointer for pointer types if it doesn't match
  - Throws exceptions for reference types if it doesn't match

auto dog = Dog();
auto cat = Cat();
Animal& animal_dog{dog};
Animal& animal_cat{cat};

// Attempt to down-cast with pointers.
Dog* dog_ref{static_cast<Dog*>(&animal_dog)};
Dog* dog_ref{dynamic_cast<Dog*>(&animal_dog)};
// Undefined behaviour (incorrect static cast).
Dog* dog_ref{static_cast<Dog*>(&animal_cat)};
// returns null pointer
Dog* dog_ref{dynamic_cast<Dog*>(&animal_cat)};

auto dog = Dog();
auto cat = Cat();
Animal& animal_dog{dog};
Animal& animal_cat{cat};

// Attempt to down-cast with references.
Dog& dog_ref{static_cast<Dog&>(animal_dog)};
Dog& dog_ref{dynamic_cast<Dog&>(animal_dog)};
// Undefined behaviour (incorrect static cast).
Dog& dog_ref{static_cast<Dog&>(animal_cat)};
// Throws exception
Dog& dog_ref{dynamic_cast<Dog&>(animal_cat)};

Covariants

Read more about covariance and contravariance
If a function overrides a base, which type can it return?
- If a base specifies that it returns a LandAnimal, a derived also needs to return a LandAnimal
Every possible return type for the derived must be a valid return type for the base

class Base {
  virtual LandAnimal& get_favorite_animal();
};

class Derived: public Base {
  // Fails to compile: Not all animals are land animals.
  Animal& get_favorite_animal() override;
  // Compiles: All land animals are land animals.
  LandAnimal& get_favorite_animal() override;
  // Compiles: All dogs are land animals.
  Dog& get_favorite_animal() override;
};

Contravariants

If a function overrides a base, which types can it take in?
- If a base specifies that it takes in a LandAnimal, a LandAnimal must always be valid input in the derived
Every possible parameter to the base must be a possible parameter for the derived

class Base {
  virtual void use_animal(LandAnimal&);
};

class Derived: public Base {
  // Compiles: All land animals are valid input (animals).
  void use_animal(Animal&) override;
  // Compiles: All land animals are valid input (land animals).
  void use_animal(LandAnimal&) override;
  // Fails to compile: Not All land animals are valid input (dogs).
  void use_animal(Dog&) override;
};

Default arguments and virtuals

Default arguments are determined at compile time for efficiency's sake
Hence, default arguments need to use the static type of the function
Avoid default arguments when overriding virtual functions

class Base {
public:
  virtual ~Base() = default;
  virtual void print_num(int i = 1) {
    std::cout << "Base " << i << '\n';
  }
};

class Derived: public Base {
public:
  void print_num(int i = 2) override {
    std::cout << "Derived " << i << '\n';
  }
};

int main() {
  Derived derived;
  Base* base = &derived;
  derived.print_num(); // Prints "Derived 2"
  base->print_num(); // Prints "Derived 1"
}

demo905-default.cpp

Construction of derived classes

Base classes are always constructed before the derived class is constructed
- The base class ctor never depends on the members of the derived class
- The derived class ctor may be dependent on the members of the base class

class Animal {...}
class LandAnimal: public Animal {...}
class Dog: public LandAnimals {...}

Dog d;

// Dog() calls LandAnimal()
  // LandAnimal() calls Animal()
    // Animal members constructed using initialiser list
    // Animal constructor body runs
  // LandAnimal members constructed using initialiser list
  // LandAnimal constructor body runs
// Dog members constructed using initialiser list
// Dog constructor body runs

Virtuals in constructors

If a class is not fully constructed, cannot perform dynamic binding

class Animal {...};
class LandAnimal: public Animal {
  LandAnimal() {
    Run();
  }

  virtual void Run() {
    std::cout << "Land animal running\n";
  }
};
class Dog: public LandAnimals {
  void Run() override {
    std::cout << "Dog running\n";
  }
};

// When the LandAnimal constructor is being called,
// the Dog part of the object has not been constructed yet.
// C++ chooses to not allow dynamic binding in constructors
// because Dog::Run() might depend upon Dog's members.
Dog d;

Destruction of derived classes

Easy to remember order: Always opposite to construction order

class Animal {...}
class LandAnimal: public Animal {...}
class Dog: public LandAnimals {...}

auto d =  Dog();

// ~Dog() destructor body runs
  // Dog members destructed in reverse order of declaration
    // ~LandAnimal() destructor body runs
    // LandAnimal members destructed in reverse order of declaration
  // ~Animal() destructor body runs
// Animal members destructed in reverse order of declaration.

Virtuals in destructors

If a class is partially destructed, cannot perform dynamic binding
Unrelated to the destructor itself being virtual

class Animal {...};
class LandAnimal: public Animal {
  virtual ~LandAnimal() {
    Run();
  }

  virtual void Run() {
    std::cout << "Land animal running\n";
  }
};
class Dog: public LandAnimals {
  void Run() override {
    std::cout << "Dog running\n";
  }
};

// When the LandAnimal constructor is being called,
// the Dog part of the object has already been destroyed.
// C++ chooses to not allow dynamic binding in destructors
// because Dog::Run() might depend upon Dog's members.
auto d = Dog();

COMP6771

Advanced C++ Programming

Week 9

Runtime Polymorphism

Key concepts

Tenets of C++

Thinking about programming

Protected members

Inheritance in C++

Inheritance and memory layout

Polymorphism and values

The object slicing problem

Polymorphism and References

Virtual functions

Override

Virtual functions

VTables

VTable example

Final

Types of functions

Abstract Base Classes (ABCs)

Pure virtual functions

Creating polymorphic objects

Inheritance and constructors

Destructing polymorphic objects

Destructing polymorphic objects

Static and dynamic types

Static and dynamic binding

Up-casting

Down-casting

How to down cast

Covariants

Contravariants

Default arguments and virtuals

Construction of derived classes

Virtuals in constructors

Destruction of derived classes

Virtuals in destructors

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