Question

An overridden base class function may be called by a function in a derived class by using the _________ operator.

Short answer

Answer: Scope resolution operator

Step-by-step solution

Understand Base and Derived Classes

In object-oriented programming, base classes (also known as parent classes) define general properties and behaviors, whereas derived classes (also known as child classes) inherit properties and behaviors from the base class and might override or extend some of these properties and behaviors.

Understand Overridden Functions

An overridden function is a function in the derived class that has the same name and signature (i.e., the same number and types of arguments) as a function in the base class. When an overridden function is called on an object with the derived class type, it calls the derived class's implementation of the function, rather than the base class's implementation.

Identify the Operator to Call an Overridden Base Class Function

To call an overridden base class function from a function in a derived class, you can use the scope resolution operator, which is written as two colons (::). By putting the base class name followed by the scope resolution operator before the function name, like this: BaseClassName::FunctionName(), you tell the compiler to call the base class's implementation of the function instead of the derived class's implementation. So, the answer is the "scope resolution operator".