Virtual functions

Question

I don\'t really understand - when am I supposed to use virtual functions?I\'ll be glad if someone could explain it to me, thanks.

Answer 1

public abstract class Weapon
{
    public virtual abstract FireOnTarget();
}

public class Pistol : Weapon
{
    public override FireOnTarget()
    {
        LoadPowder();
        LoadBullet();
        CockIt();
        PullTheTrigger();
    }
}

public class SucideBomber : Weapon
{
    public override FireOnTarget()
    {
        BuyTruck();
        LoadWithC4();
        DriveToTarget();
        ActivateDetonator();
    }
}

OK now you have two classes. The point is to refer to the virtual function without knowing what actual class is there, for example:

public void PerformFiring(Weapon W)
{
    // do stuff
    W.FireOnTarget();
    // do more stuff
}

This method will use whichever object you send in, derived from Weapon, and call FireOnTarget on that object. For example:

Pistol p=new Pistol();
PerformFiring(p);