Visual Basic 2015 Unleashed

Applying Inheritance

Before explaining how inheritance is applied in code, a graphical representation can be useful. Figure 12.1 shows how you can create robust hierarchies of custom objects with inheritance.

FIGURE 12.1 A graphical representation of a custom framework of objects using inheritance.

You derive a class from a base class using the Inherits keyword. For example, consider the following implementation of the Person class that exposes some basic properties:

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Public Class Person    Public Property FirstName As String    Public Property LastName As String    'A simplified implementation    Public Function ...