C++: Deep copying a Base class pointer

Question

I searched around and seems in order to perform this I need to change my Base class and want to know if this is the best approach. For example, I have a Base class:

Answer 1

You need to use the virtual copy pattern: provide a virtual function in the interface that does the copy and then implement it across the hierarchy:

struct base {
   virtual ~base() {}                // Remember to provide a virtual destructor
   virtual base* clone() const = 0;
};
struct derived : base {
   virtual derived* clone() const {
      return new derived(*this);
   }
};

Then the DeepCopy object just needs to call that function:

class DeepCopy 
{ 
  Base * basePtr;    
public:
   DeepCopy(DeepCopy const & dc)           // This should be `const`
      : basePtr( dc.basePtr->clone() )
   {}
};