Should C Standardize a 'super' Keyword for Base Class Access?

Using "super" in C : A Non-Standard Yet Practical Approach

In C , the lack of a dedicated "super" keyword to access the base class has led to inventive solutions such as using a typedef'd "super." This technique allows developers to create an alias for the base class, enabling them to call base class methods and constructors with ease.

Commonality and Acceptability

While the use of typedef "super" is not common in all codebases, it is not uncommon either. It is a particularly useful technique when the base class is verbose or templated. Some developers find it enhances code readability and reduces the likelihood of errors.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Simplifies access to the base class by providing an alias.
• Facilitates chaining of base class calls in derived classes.
• Improves code readability and maintainability.

Cons:

• Non-standard syntax, which could potentially lead to confusion or portability issues.
• When typedef "super" is placed in the public section, it becomes accessible to derived classes outside the project.
• Can potentially lead to ambiguity if multiple base classes are involved.

Should "super" Be Standardized?

The ISO C Standards committee has considered standardizing a "super" keyword in the past. However, due to concerns about complexity and the existence of alternative solutions such as typedef "super," this has not yet been implemented.

Alternatives to typedef "super"

Aside from using a typedef, there are also other ways to achieve similar functionality:

• Using a public/private/protected "base" pointer: This indirectly accesses the base class via a pointer.
• Using the scope resolution operator (::): This accesses the base class members directly, but can be verbose and error-prone.

Conclusion

While the use of typedef "super" is not a standard feature in C , it offers many benefits in terms of code readability and ease of use. Its non-standard nature is a potential drawback, but this can be mitigated by using it responsibly and potentially placing it in a non-public section of the class.

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