The Design and Evolution of C++, First Edition

13. Class Concept Refinements

Say what you mean, simply and directly.

– Brian Kernighan

Abstract classes — virtual functions and constructors — const members functions — refinement of the const concept — static member functions — nested classes — the inherited:: proposal — relaxation of the overriding rules — multi-methods — protected members — virtual function table allocation — pointers to members.

13.1 Introduction

Because classes are so central in C++, I receive a steady stream of requests for modifications and extensions of the class concept. Almost all requests for modifications must be rejected to preserve existing code, and most suggestions for extensions have been rejected as unnecessary, impractical, not fitting with the rest of the ...