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magenta

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Why doesn't the compiler see overloaded base class functions?

Why doesn't the compiler see overloaded base class functions? I cannot explain why the follwing is an error:

    #include <string>
    #include <iostream>
    using namespace std;

    class Base
    {
      public:
        virtual void Do( const string& )
        {
          cout << "Base::Do( string )" << endl;
        }
        virtual void Do( const char* const data,
                                  const long length )
        {
          cout << "Base::Do( char*, long )" << endl;
        }
    };

    class Derived : public Base
    {
      public:
        virtual void Do( const int s )
        {
          cout << "Base::Do( int )" << endl;
        }
    };

    int main(int argc, char* argv[])
    {
      Derived d;
      d.Do( 5 );
      d.Do( string() );
      d.Do( "foobar", 6 );
      return 0;
    }

Why doesn't the compiler "see" the base class versions of Do()? The only way I can get this to compile is to qualify the calls by adding "Base::", like so:

    d.Base::Do( string() );
    d.Base::Do( "foobar", 6 );

Can someone explain to me why this is the case? Thanks!
Avatar of magenta
magenta

ASKER

I should have pointed out that the compiler complains about the following lines:

     d.Do( string() );
     d.Do( "foobar", 6 );

It seems to only see the Derived methods.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of thienpnguyen
thienpnguyen

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For fixing the bug, you can do as following

class Derived : public Base
{
public:

    using  Base::Do; // <-------- new code

    virtual void Do( const int s )
    {
      cout << "Base::Do( int )" << endl;
    }

};

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
  Derived d;
  d.Do( 5 );
  d.Do( string() );
  d.Do( "foobar", 6 );
  return 0;
}
This is not meant to trample on thienpnguyen's answer.

Just thought I'd post the full listing as I got it to compile on M$ VC6.0.

Nice links Thien! Almost perfect for this question.




#include <string>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class Base
{
public:
     virtual void Do( const string& )
     {
          cout << "Base::Do( string )" << endl;
     }
     virtual void Do( const char* const data,
          const long length )
     {
          cout << "Base::Do( char*, long )" << endl;
     }
};

class Derived : public Base
{
public:
     
     Base::Do;
     
     virtual void Do( const int s )
     {
          cout << "Base::Do( int )" << endl;
     }
};

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
     Derived d;
     d.Do( 5 );
     d.Do( string() );
     d.Do( "foobar", 6 );
     return 0;
}
Avatar of magenta

ASKER

Very intesting...I'm going to have to sit down and read that article. I should probably have the C++ standard nearby...

However, before I do that, answer this question. If a derived class by definition can be treated the same as a base class, then isn't the code above example of this rule being broken?
Dear magenta

I think you forgot this question. I will ask Community Support to close it unless you finalize it within 7 days. You can always request to keep this question open. But remember, experts can only help you if you provide feedback to their questions.
Unless there is objection or further activity,  I will suggest to accept

     "thienpnguyen"

comment(s) as an answer.
     "refund the points and delete this question"
since nobody had a satisfying answer for you.
since you never gave more feedback.
PAQ at zero points.

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======
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