Can I call a base class's virtual function if I'm overriding it?

Question

Say I have classes `Foo` and `Bar` set up like this: class Foo { public: int x; virtual void printStuff() { std::cout << x << std::endl; } }; class Bar : public Foo { public: int y; void printStuff() { // I would like to call Foo.printStuff() here... std::cout << y << std::endl; } }; As annotated in the code, I'd like to be able to call the base class's function that I'm overriding. In Java there's the `super.funcname()` syntax. Is this possible in C++?

Answer 1

First, in the derived class Bar, but not declaring printStuff() virtual as in the base class, this results in the base class's method being hidden. Next, to call a method in the base class, use the class operator:

void printStuff()

{

Foo::printStuff();

}

Lastly, the joy of inheritance -- if your derived class is only calling the base class, don't declare it. The derived class inherits all the methods and elements of its base class, and you only need to override the methods you want. Everything else comes from the base class.