Table of Contents
- 1 Are protected members bad?
- 2 Why can the use of protected data members be problematic C++?
- 3 Is protected bad C++?
- 4 Should you use protected C++?
- 5 Why do we need private vs public vs protected?
- 6 What is the difference between private and protected members in C++?
- 7 What is the difference between protected members of base class?
Are protected members bad?
Are protected members/fields really that bad? No. They are way, way worse. As soon as a member is more accessible than private , you are making guarantees to other classes about how that member will behave.
Why can the use of protected data members be problematic C++?
In particular, declaring data members protected is usually a design error. Placing significant amounts of data in a common class for all derived classes to use leaves that data open to corruption. Worse, protected data, like public data, cannot easily be restructured because there is no good way of finding every use.
What are protected member variables?
A protected member variable or function is very similar to a private member but it provided one additional benefit that they can be accessed in child classes which are called derived classes. You will learn derived classes and inheritance in next chapter.
Why are variables protected?
Putting protected on a member variable breaks encapsulation because now a derived class has access to the implementation details of the base class. This allows name to be safely set from a derived class using a constructor argument, without exposing implementation details of the base class.
Is protected bad C++?
Protected variables should be avoided because: They tend to lead to YAGNI issues. Unless you have a descendant class that actually does stuff with the protected member, make it private. They tend to lead to LSP issues.
Should you use protected C++?
Should you ever use protected member variables? Depends on how picky you are about hiding state. If you don’t want any leaking of internal state, then declaring all your member variables private is the way to go. If you don’t really care that subclasses can access internal state, then protected is good enough.
What is protected member?
The protected keyword specifies access to class members in the member-list up to the next access specifier ( public or private ) or the end of the class definition. Class members declared as protected can be used only by the following: Direct privately derived classes that also have private access to protected members.
What is difference between protected and private member?
Private = only members of the same class can access the function. Protected = Same as private but derived classes can also access.
Why do we need private vs public vs protected?
If the class member declared as public then it can be accessed everywhere. If the class members declared as protected then it can be accessed only within the class itself and by inheriting child classes. If the class members declared as private then it may only be accessed by the class that defines the member.
What is the difference between private and protected members in C++?
Private member can be accessed only in same class where it has declared where as protected member can be accessed in class where it is declared along with the classes which are inherited by it . A protected nonstatic base class member can be accessed by members and friends of any classes derived from that base class by using one of the following:
Are protected member variables a bad idea?
Protected member variables are most always a bad idea, protected member functions can be used for e.g. the Template Method pattern. Protected members can only be accessed by descendants of the class, and by code in the same module.
Should I use private or public member variables?
It is recommended to use private as a default (just like C++ class ses do) to reduce coupling. Protected member variables are most always a bad idea, protected member functions can be used for e.g. the Template Method pattern. Protected members can only be accessed by descendants of the class, and by code in the same module.
What is the difference between protected members of base class?
protected members of base class are private members of derived class. public data members of base class are private members of derived class. protected members of base class are protected members of derived class. public data members of base class are protected members of derived class.