The Design and Evolution of C++, First Edition

12. Multiple Inheritance

Because you have a mother and a father :-)

– comp.lang.c++

Timing of multiple inheritance — ordinary base classes — virtual base classes — the dominance rule — the object layout model — casting from a virtual base — method combination — the multiple inheritance controversy — delegation — renaming — base and member initializers.

12.1 Introduction

In most people’s minds multiple inheritance, the ability to have two or more direct base classes, was the feature of 2.0. I disagreed at the time because I felt that the sum of the improvements to the type system was of far greater practical importance.

Also, adding multiple inheritance in Release 2.0 was a mistake. Multiple inheritance belongs in C++, but is far less important ...