Description: A virtual function is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming, especially in languages like C++. It refers to a function that can be redefined in a derived class, allowing the behavior of the function to adapt to the specific class that invokes it. This is achieved by using the keyword ‘virtual’ in the function declaration in the base class. The main characteristic of virtual functions is that they enable the implementation of polymorphism, meaning that a function can be invoked through a pointer or reference to the base class, and the program will execute the version of the function corresponding to the derived class at runtime. This mechanism is essential for creating flexible and extensible systems, where classes can be modified or extended without altering existing code. In a general technological context, virtual functions can be utilized to create modular systems that adapt to various execution environments, facilitating the portability and scalability of applications across platforms.
