What are Virtual Methods?

Question

Why would you declare a method as \"virtual\".

What is the benefit in using virtual?

Answer 1

In C#, for overriding the base class method in derived class, you have to declare base class method as virtual and derived class method as override as shown below:

using System;
namespace Polymorphism
{
 class A
 {
 public virtual void Test() { Console.WriteLine("A::Test()"); }
 }

 class B : A
 {
 public override void Test() { Console.WriteLine("B::Test()"); }
 }

 class C : B
 {
 public override void Test() { Console.WriteLine("C::Test()"); }
 }

 class Program
 {
 static void Main(string[] args)
 {

 A a = new A();
 B b = new B();
 C c = new C();
 a.Test(); // output --> "A::Test()"
 b.Test(); // output --> "B::Test()"
 c.Test(); // output --> "C::Test()"

 a = new B();
 a.Test(); // output --> "B::Test()"

 b = new C();
 b.Test(); // output --> "C::Test()"

 Console.ReadKey();
 }
 }
}

You can also mix the method hiding and method overriding by using virtual and new keyword since the method of a derived class can be virtual and new at the same time. This is required when you want to further override the derived class method into next level as I am overriding Class B, Test() method in Class C as shown below:

using System;
namespace Polymorphism
{
 class A
 {
 public void Test() { Console.WriteLine("A::Test()"); }
 }

 class B : A
 {
 public new virtual void Test() { Console.WriteLine("B::Test()"); }
 }

 class C : B
 {
 public override void Test() { Console.WriteLine("C::Test()"); }
 }

 class Program
 {
 static void Main(string[] args)
 {

 A a = new A();
 B b = new B();
 C c = new C();

 a.Test(); // output --> "A::Test()"
 b.Test(); // output --> "B::Test()"
 c.Test(); // output --> "C::Test()"

 a = new B();
 a.Test(); // output --> "A::Test()"

 b = new C();
 b.Test(); // output --> "C::Test()"

 Console.ReadKey();
 }
 }
}

GOLDEN WORDS: The virtual keyword is used to modify a method, property, indexer, or event declared in the base class and allow it to be overridden in the derived class.

The override keyword is used to extend or modify a virtual/abstract method, property, indexer, or event of base class into derived class.

The new keyword is used to hide a method, property, indexer, or event of base class into derived class.

ENJOY :-)