Does the 'override' Keyword Do More Than Just Verify Overridden Virtual Methods?

Is the 'override' Keyword Solely for Ensuring Overridden Virtual Methods?

In C 11, the 'override' keyword was introduced to address a specific issue. As you understand, its primary role is to ensure that a function being implemented is indeed overriding a virtual method in the base class.

Does it Have Any Other Functions?

No, the sole purpose of the 'override' keyword is to provide an explicit check for overriding virtual methods. It serves as a guarantee that the function being implemented is intended to override a virtual method in the base class and prevents errors that could otherwise go unnoticed.

Consider the following example:

struct Base
{
    virtual int foo() const;
};

struct Derived : Base
{
    virtual int foo()   // whoops!
    {
       // ...
    }
};

In this code, the function 'foo()' in the Derived class is missing the 'const' modifier. However, without the 'override' keyword, the compiler would not flag this as an error, potentially leading to incorrect behavior. By using 'override', you force the compiler to verify that the function is in fact overriding an existing virtual method, catching such errors and ensuring the intended functionality.

Thus, the 'override' keyword serves a critical role in explicitly indicating the intent to override a virtual method in the base class, reducing the risk of errors and unintended behavior.

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