The term "interface" in C++
- by Flexo
Java makes a clear distinction between class and interface. (I believe C# does also, but I have no experience with it). When writing C++ however there is no language enforced distinction between class and interface.
Consequently I've always viewed interface as a workaround for the lack of multiple inheritance in Java. Making such a distinction feels arbitrary and meaningless in C++.
I've always tended to go with the "write things in the most obvious way" approach, so if in C++ I've got what might be called an interface in Java, e.g.:
class Foo {
public:
virtual void doStuff() = 0;
~Foo() = 0;
};
and I then decided that most implementers of Foo wanted to share some common functionality I would probably write:
class Foo {
public:
virtual void doStuff() = 0;
~Foo() {}
protected:
// If it needs this to do its thing:
int internalHelperThing(int);
// Or if it doesn't need the this pointer:
static int someOtherHelper(int);
};
Which then makes this not an interface in the Java sense anymore.
Instead C++ has two important concepts, related to the same underlying inheritance problem:
virtual inhertiance
Classes with no member variables can occupy no extra space when used as a base
"Base class subobjects may have zero size"
Reference
Of those I try to avoid #1 wherever possible - it's rare to encounter a scenario where that genuinely is the "cleanest" design. #2 is however a subtle, but important difference between my understanding of the term "interface" and the C++ language features. As a result of this I currently (almost) never refer to things as "interfaces" in C++ and talk in terms of base classes and their sizes. I would say that in the context of C++ "interface" is a misnomer.
It has come to my attention though that not many people make such a distinction.
Do I stand to lose anything by allowing (e.g. protected) non-virtual functions to exist within an "interface" in C++? (My feeling is the exactly the opposite - a more natural location for shared code)
Is the term "interface" meaningful in C++ - does it imply only pure virtual or would it be fair to call C++ classes with no member variables an interface still?
