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Private virtual function overridden as public compiles and runs?

+1 vote
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The following program compiles and runs - is it correct behavior? I read §11.5 in the January 2012 working draft but couldn't reach a conclusion.

class B
{
 virtual int f() { return 42; };
};

class D : public B
{
public:
 int f() { return 43; };
};

int main()
{
 D d;
 B * pb = 
 D * pd = 
 //pb->f(); // error: B::f() is private
 pd->f(); // OK: D::f() is public
}
posted Oct 14, 2013 by Anderson

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1 Answer

+1 vote

Yes, it is the correct behavior according to the C++ standard. I think it's broken, but as it's in the standard, there's little can be done about it.

Do there a warning? there should be....

answer Oct 14, 2013 by Garima Jain
I agree. Despite being correct behavior, it allows for a weird (risky?) change to an interface and probably indicates a mistake.
commented Oct 14, 2013 by Seema Siddique
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