Question

A member function of a class that is not implemented is called a(n) ______ function.

Short answer

Answer: Pure virtual function or abstract function.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the correct term for an unimplemented member function in a class

The correct term for a member function of a class that is not implemented is a "pure virtual" function or "abstract" function, depending on the programming language being used.

Complete the sentence with the correct term

A member function of a class that is not implemented is called a(n) "pure virtual" function or "abstract" function.

Key concepts

Pure Virtual Function

In object-oriented programming, a pure virtual function is a type of member function that acts as a placeholder within an abstract class. Instead of having an implementation, it is signaled by setting its definition equal to 0. This effectively says, "This function exists, but doesn't do anything yet."

Pure virtual functions serve as a way for the base class to enforce derived classes to implement specific methods. By using pure virtual functions, you can ensure that any class inheriting from the base class must provide an implementation for these methods. This is a core idea in designing software with polymorphic behavior.

• It encourages consistent methods across different derived classes.
• It allows the definition of interfaces in C++ and other languages.
• Makes the base class abstract, meaning it can't be instantiated directly.

Remember that having at least one pure virtual function makes a class abstract, and it can't be instantiated on its own.

Abstract Function

An abstract function is a member function that is declared within an abstract class, and it has no body; it is not implemented in the parent class. These functions are synonymous with pure virtual functions in languages like C++.

The concept of an abstract function emphasizes the importance of defining protocols that all derived classes must follow. This is particularly beneficial in ensuring that a class hierarchy follows a consistent implementation pattern, crucial for large-scale software development.

• Abstract functions are fundamentally used to define common interfaces.
• They enhance code reusability and modularity.
• Derived classes are obliged to provide specific implementations.

This design principle makes your code more adaptable to changes and helps maintain a clean, organized structure across different modules.

Class Member Function

A class member function is a function that is defined within a class. It is used to define operations that can be performed on objects of the class. Member functions can directly access or modify the data members of the class, making them an integral part of the class's interface and behavior.

There are different types of member functions, such as:

• Constructor: Initializes objects of the class.
• Destructor: Destroys objects of the class, freeing resources.
• Accessor: Retrieves the values of data members.
• Mutator: Modifies the values of data members.

Member functions encapsulate the functionality of objects and are crucial in realizing the principles of encapsulation and data hiding, which are central to object-oriented programming.
These functions may be defined inside the class definition, causing them to become inline, or outside of it which is more common for complex member functions. Understanding class member functions is essential for creating well-encapsulated code.