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Everything about Virtual function

Inheritable and overridable function or method for which dynamic dispatch is facilitated

In object-oriented programming such as is often used in C++ and Object Pascal, a virtual function or virtual method is an inheritable and overridable function or method that is dispatched dynamically. Virtual functions are an important part of (runtime) polymorphism in object-oriented programming (OOP). They allow for the execution of target functions that were not precisely identified at compile time. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Virtual functionA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: scTenifoldKnk: An efficient virtual knockout tool for gene function predictions via single-cell gene regulatory network perturbationInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: Programming ScalaThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Optimal virtual network function placement in multi-cloud service function chaining architectureCited 189 times
  5. Go sideways: Method (computer programming)A closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Inheritance (object-oriented programming)A closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun Synonym of virtual method.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Purpose
  2. Example
  3. Abstract classes and pure virtual functions
  4. Behavior during construction and destruction
  5. Virtual destructors

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics