What is the concept and definition of inheritance in C++?

In object-oriented programming, C++ inheritance is a mechanism used to create a new class (known as a derived class or subclass) that inherits the attributes and behavior of an existing class (known as a base class or superclass).

Inheritance allows subclasses to reuse the code and data members of the base class, thus avoiding the need to repeatedly write the same code. By inheriting, the subclass can inherit the base class’s public member functions and variables, and can add, modify, or extend these members.

In C++, inheritance can be classified into three types:

1. Public inheritance allows a subclass to inherit the public members of the superclass, including public member functions and variables, which can still be accessed as public members in the subclass.
2. Private inheritance allows the subclass to inherit all members of the base class, including public, protected, and private members. However, the inherited members become private members in the subclass and cannot be accessed directly through a subclass object.
3. Protected inheritance allows a subclass to inherit the protected and public members of a base class (excluding private members), which will become protected members in the subclass.

The definition of inheritance is implemented using the syntax of derived classes, as shown below:

class BaseClass {
    // 基类的成员声明和定义
};

class DerivedClass : [继承方式] BaseClass {
    // 派生类的成员声明和定义
};

One option:
“Within it, the [inheritance method] can be public, private, or protected, determining how the subclass inherits from the base class.”