overloading base class method in derived class

Question

I am trying to understand why the following code does not compile, apparently the solution relies in specifically declaring the dependency on method_A in the derived class. Please refer to the following code:

class Base {   public:      void method_A(int param, int param2)     {       std::cout << "Base call A" << std::endl;     }  };  //does not compile class Derived : public Base {   public:      void method_A(int param)     {       std::cout << "Derived call A" << std::endl;     } };  //compiles class Derived2 : public Base {   public:     using Base::method_A; //compile     void method_A(int param)     {       std::cout << "Derived call A" << std::endl;     } };  int main () {   Derived myDerived;   myDerived.method_A(1);   myDerived.method_A(1,2);    Derived2 myDerived2;   myDerived2.method_A(1);   myDerived2.method_A(1,2);   return 0; } 

"test.cpp", (S) The wrong number of arguments have been specified for "Derived::method_A(int)".

What is the technical reason that prevents the derived class to know its base class is implementing the method it's trying to overload? I am looking in understanding better how the compiler/linker behaves in this case.

Answer 1

Its called Name Hiding. When you define a non virtual method with the same name as Base method it hides the Base class method in Derived class so you are getting the error for

 myDerived.method_A(1,2); 

To avoid hiding of Base class methods in Derived class use using keyword as you did in Derived2 class.

Also if you want to make it work you can do it explictly

myDerived.Base::method_A(1,2); 

Check out this for better explanation why name hiding came into picture.