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From: hvt@tnosel.UUCP (henq)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++
Subject: no dynamic binding in c++ ?
Message-ID: <481@tnosel.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 7-Oct-87 10:41:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: tnosel.481
Posted: Wed Oct  7 10:41:32 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Oct-87 18:05:23 EDT
Lines: 25

Hi,

In the recent debate on C++ vs. Objective-C, I read  remarks 
like: "c++ does not provide dynamic binding, only virtual functions".

Virtual functions seem very powerfull to me. You can write type-independant
code with them like on page -37- of the Stroustrup book:

	 shape_vec[i].rotate(45);

Only at runtime can be determined what type of object occupies
position [i] of shape_vec, that seems dynamic binding to me.

What does 'real' dynamic binding offer you that virtual functions don't ?

Has it something to do with the strict tree-like hierarchy of inheritance ?

If c++ *does* privide dynamic binding, a runtime support for this must
be generated by the pre-processor, right ?

Can somebody please elaborate on this on the amateur level ?

-Henk

Have a nice day