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Inheritance

 

Introduction to Inheritance

 

Definition

 
Volley Ball Football Basketball Handball Golf
Volley Ball Football Basketball Handball Golf

The primary characteristic of the objects on the above pictures is that they are balls used in different sports. Another characteristic they share is that they are round. On the other hand, although these balls are used in sport, one made for one sport cannot (or should not) be used in another sport (of course, it is not unusual for a footballer to mess with a basketball on a lawn but it is not appropriate). The common characteristics of these objects can be listed in a group like a C# class. The class would appear as:

class Ball
{
    TypeOfSport;
    Size;
}

If you were asked to create a class to represent these balls, you may be tempted to implement a general class that defines each ball. This may be a bad idea because, despite their round resemblance, there are many internal differences among these balls. Programming languages like C# provide an alternate solution to this type of situation.

Inheritance consists of creating a class whose primary definition or behavior is based on another class. In other words, inheritance starts by having a class that can provide behavior that other classes can improve on.

 

Practical Learning Practical Learning: Introducing Inheritance

 
  1. Start Microsoft Visual C# or Visual Studio .NET
  2. On the main menu, click File -> New -> Project
  3. If necessary, in the Project Types list of the New Project dialog box, click Visual C# Projects
  4. In the Templates list, click Empty Project
  5. In the Name text box, replace the name with MVD1 and specify the desired path in the Location
  6. Click OK
  7. To create a source file for the project, on the main menu, click Project -> Add New Item...
  8. In the Add New Item dialog box, in the Templates list, click Code File
  9. In the Name text box, delete the suggested name and replace it with Exercise
  10. Click Open
  11. In the empty file, type the following:
     
    using System;
    
    public class Applicant
    {
    	private string name;
    	private string addr;
    	private string ct;
    	private string stt;
    	private string ZIP;
    	private string sex;
    	private string dob;
    	private int    wgt;
    	private string hgt;
    	private int    race;
    
    	public Applicant()
    	{
    	}
    	
    	public Applicant(string n)
    	{
    		this.name = n;
    	}
    
    	public Applicant(string n, string s)
    	{
    		this.name = n;
    		this.sex  = s;
    	}
    	
    	public string FullName
    	{
    		get { return name; }
    		set { name = value; }
    	}
    
    	public string Gender
    	{
    		get { return sex; }
    		set { sex = value; }
    	}
    
    	
    	public void Registration()
    	{
    		char s;
    
    		Console.Write("Full Name: ");
    		this.name = Console.ReadLine();
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.Write("Sex(F=Female/M=Male): ");
    			s = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    		
    			if( (s != 'f') && (s != 'F') && (s != 'm') && (s != 'M') )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid character");
    			sex = "Male";
    		}while( (s != 'f') && (s != 'F') && (s != 'm') && (s != 'M') );
    
    		if( (s == 'f') || s == 'F' )
    			sex = "Female";
    		else if( (s == 'm') || (s == 'M') )
    			sex = "Male";
    	}
    	
    	public void Show()
    	{
    		Console.WriteLine("Full Name:   {0}", this.name);
    		Console.WriteLine("Sex:         {0}", this.sex);
    	}
    }
    
    public class Exercise
    {
    	public static int Main()
    	{
    		Applicant person = new Applicant();
    
    		Console.WriteLine(" -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    		person.Registration();
    		
    		Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    		person.Show();
    
    		Console.WriteLine();
    		return 0;
    	}
    }
  12. To execute the application, on the main menu, click Debug -> Start Without Debugging
     
    -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    Full Name: Alexis Langa
    Sex(F=Female/M=Male): P
    Please enter a valid character
    Sex(F=Female/M=Male): F
    
     -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    Full Name:   Alexis Langa
    Sex:         Female
  13. Return to Visual C#

Class Derivation

As you may have guess, in order to implement inheritance, you must first have a class that provides the fundamental definition or behavior you need. There is nothing magical about such a class. It could appear exactly like any of the classes we have used so far. Here is an example:

using System;

class Circle
{
	private double _radius;

	public double Radius
	{
		get
		{
			if( _radius < 0 )
				return 0.00;
			else
				return _radius;
		}
		set
		{
			_radius = value;
		}
	}
	public double Diameter
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * 2;
		}
	}
	public double Circumference
	{
		get
		{
			return Diameter * 3.14159;
		}
	}
	public double Area
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}
}

class Exercise
{
	public static int Main()
	{
		Circle c = new Circle();
		c.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("Circle Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", c.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", c.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", c.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", c.Area);

		return 0;
	}
}

This would produce:

Circle Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     2050.837805975
Press any key to continue

The above class is used to process a circle. It can request or provide a radius. It can also calculate the circumference and the area of a circle. Now, suppose you want to create a class for a sphere. You could start from scratch as we have done so far. On the other hand, since a sphere is primarily a 3-dimensional circle, and if you have a class for a circle already, you can simply create your sphere class that uses the already implemented behavior of a circle class.

Creating a class that is based on another class is also referred to as deriving a class from another. The first class serves as parent or base. The class that is based on another class is also referred to as child or derived. To create a class based on another, you use the following formula:

class NewChild : Base
{
      // Body of the new class
}

In this formula, you start with the class keyword followed by a name from your class. On the right side of the name of your class, you must type the : operator, followed by the name of the class that will serve as parent. Of course, the Base class must have been defined; that is, the compiler must be able to find its definition. Based on the above formula, you can create a sphere class based on the earlier mentioned Circle class as follows:

class Sphere : Circle
{
      // The class is ready
}

After deriving a class, it becomes available and you can use it just as you would any other class. Here is an example:

using System;

class Circle
{
	private double _radius;

	public double Radius
	{
		get
		{
			if( _radius < 0 )
				return 0.00;
			else
				return _radius;
		}
		set
		{
			_radius = value;
		}
	}
	public double Diameter
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * 2;
		}
	}
	public double Circumference
	{
		get
		{
			return Diameter * 3.14159;
		}
	}
	public double Area
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}
}

class Sphere : Circle
{
}

class Exercise
{
	public static int Main()
	{
		Circle c = new Circle();
		c.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("Circle Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", c.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", c.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", c.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", c.Area);

		Sphere s = new Sphere();
		s.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("\nSphere Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", s.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", s.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", s.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", s.Area);

		return 0;
	}
}

This would produce:

Circle Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     2050.837805975

Sphere Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     2050.837805975
Press any key to continue

When a class is based on another class, all public (we will also introduce another inheritance-oriented keyword for this issue) members of the parent class are made available to the derived class that can use them as easily. While other methods and classes can also use the public members of a class, the difference is that the derived class can call the public members of the parent as if they belonged to the derived class. That is, the child class doesn't have to "qualify" the public members of the parent class when these public members are used in the body of the derived class. This is illustrated in the following program:

using System;

class Circle
{
	private double _radius;

	public double Radius
	{
		get
		{
			if( _radius < 0 )
				return 0.00;
			else
				return _radius;
		}
		set
		{
			_radius = value;
		}
	}
	public double Diameter
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * 2;
		}
	}
	public double Circumference
	{
		get
		{
			return Diameter * 3.14159;
		}
	}
	public double Area
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}

	public void ShowCharacteristics()
	{
		Console.WriteLine("Circle Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", Area);
	}
}

class Sphere : Circle
{
	public void ShowCharacteristics()
	{
		// Because Sphere is based on Circle, you can access
		// any public member(s) of Circle without qualifying it(them)
		Console.WriteLine("\nSphere Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}\n", Area);
	}
}

class Exercise
{
	public static int Main()
	{
		Circle c = new Circle();

		c.Radius = 25.55;
		c.ShowCharacteristics();

		Sphere s = new Sphere();

		s.Radius = 25.55;
		s.ShowCharacteristics();

		return 0;
	}
}

This would produce the same result.

 

Practical Learning Practical Learning: Inheriting

  1. To derive a class, change the file as follows:
     
    using System;
    
    public enum TypeOfIDCardApplication
    {
    	NewCard = 1,
    	Replacement,
    	Correction,
    	Renewal,
    	Transfer
    }
    
    public class Applicant
    {
    	private string name;
    	private string addr;
    	private string ct;
    	private string stt;
    	private string ZIP;
    	private string sex;
    	private string dob;
    	private int    wgt;
    	private string hgt;
    	private int    race;
    
    	public Applicant()
    	{
    	}
    	
    	public Applicant(string n)
    	{
    		this.name = n;
    	}
    
    	public Applicant(string n, string s)
    	{
    		this.name = n;
    		this.sex  = s;
    	}
    	
    	public string FullName
    	{
    		get { return name; }
    		set { name = value; }
    	}
    
    	public string Gender
    	{
    		get { return sex; }
    		set { sex = value; }
    	}
    
    	
    	public void Registration()
    	{
    		char s;
    
    		Console.Write("Full Name: ");
    		this.name = Console.ReadLine();
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.Write("Sex(F=Female/M=Male): ");
    			s = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    		
    			if( (s != 'f') && (s != 'F') && (s != 'm') && (s != 'M') )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid character");
    			sex = "Male";
    		}while( (s != 'f') && (s != 'F') && (s != 'm') && (s != 'M') );
    
    		if( (s == 'f') || s == 'F' )
    			sex = "Female";
    		else if( (s == 'm') || (s == 'M') )
    			sex = "Male";
    	}
    	
    	public void Show()
    	{
    		Console.WriteLine("Full Name:   {0}", this.name);
    		Console.WriteLine("Sex:         {0}", this.sex);
    	}
    }
    
    public class IdentityCard : Applicant
    {
    	public int ApplicationReason;
    	public int TypeOfAnswer;
    	public string TransferFrom;
    	public string NotesOrComments;
    
    	public void CreateIDCard()
    	{
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.WriteLine("What's the reason you need an Identity Card?");
    			Console.WriteLine("1 - I need a new ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("2 - I need to replace my ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("3 - I need a correction on my ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("4 - I want to renew my current ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("5 - I want to transfer my ID Card");
    			Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    			ApplicationReason = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    
    			if( ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 5 )
    				Console.WriteLine("\nPlease enter a valid number between 1 and 5");
    		} while(ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 5);
    		
    		this.Registration();
    
    		switch((TypeOfIDCardApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.NewCard:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Replacement:
    				do
    				{
    					Console.WriteLine("What is the reason you want a replacement?");
    					Console.WriteLine("1 - I lost my ID Card");
    					Console.WriteLine("2 - My ID Card was stolen");
    					Console.WriteLine("3 - My ID Card is damaged");
    					Console.WriteLine("4 - The court/a judge ordered that I replace my ID");
    					Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    					TypeOfAnswer = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    					if( TypeOfAnswer < 1 || TypeOfAnswer > 4 )
    						Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    				} while( TypeOfAnswer < 1 || TypeOfAnswer > 4 );
    
    				Console.WriteLine("Write the applican't description");
    				NotesOrComments = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Correction:
    				do
    				{
    					Console.WriteLine("What is the reason you want a correction?");
    					Console.WriteLine("5 - There is an error on the card");
    					Console.WriteLine("6 - The picture (only the picture) on it is not wright");
    					Console.WriteLine("7 - I got married");
    					Console.WriteLine("8 - I got a divorce");
    					Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    					TypeOfAnswer = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    					if( TypeOfAnswer < 5 || TypeOfAnswer > 8 )
    						Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    				} while( TypeOfAnswer < 5 || TypeOfAnswer > 8 );
    				
    				Console.WriteLine("Write the applican't description");
    				NotesOrComments = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Renewal:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Transfer:
    				Console.WriteLine("What US state or Canadian province are you transferring your ID from?");
    				TransferFrom = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    		}
    	}
    
    	public void ShowIDCard()
    	{
    		switch((TypeOfIDCardApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.NewCard:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for New Identity Card");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Replacement:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Replacement");	
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Correction:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Correction");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Renewal:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Renewal");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Transfer:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Transfer");
    				Console.WriteLine("Identity Card Transferred From: {0}", TransferFrom);
    				break;
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine("Applicant's Information");
    		this.Show();
    		Console.WriteLine("Administration Notes or Comments");
    		Console.WriteLine(NotesOrComments);
    	}
    }
    
    public class Exercise
    {
    	public static int Main()
    	{
    		int ReasonToBeHereToday;
    
    		Console.WriteLine(" -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.WriteLine("So what brought you to the Motor Vehicle Department today?");
    			Console.WriteLine("1 - I need an Identity Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("2 - I need a Driver's License");
    			Console.WriteLine("3 - I want to register to vote");
    			Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    			ReasonToBeHereToday = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    			if( ReasonToBeHereToday < 1 || ReasonToBeHereToday > 3 )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid number as 1, 2, or 3");
    		} while( ReasonToBeHereToday < 1 || ReasonToBeHereToday > 3 );
    
    		switch(ReasonToBeHereToday)
    		{
    			case 1:
    				IdentityCard IDApplicant = new IdentityCard();
    				IDApplicant.CreateIDCard();
    				Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    				IDApplicant.ShowIDCard();
    				break;
    
    			case 2:
    				Console.WriteLine("Come back tomorrow");
    				break;
    
    			case 3:
    				Console.WriteLine("Come back in two days");
    				break;
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine();
    		return 0;
    	}
    }
  2. Execute the application. Here is an example:
     
    -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    So what brought you to the Motor Vehicle Department today?
    1 - I need an Identity Card
    2 - I need a Driver's License
    3 - I want to register to vote
    Your Choice: 3
    Come back in two days
  3. Return to Visual C#

Implementation of Derived Members

You can notice in the above example that the derived class produces the same results as the base class. In reality, inheritance is used to solve various Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) problems. One of them consists of customizing, adapting, or improving the behavior of a feature (property or method, etc) of the parent class. For example, although both the circle and the sphere have an area, their areas are not the same. A circle is a flat surface but a sphere is a volume, which makes its area very much higher. Since they use different formulas for their respective area, you should implement a new version of the area in the sphere. Based on this, when deriving your class from another class, you should be aware of the properties and methods of the base class so that, if you know that the parent class has a certain behavior or a characteristic that is not conform to the new derived class, you can do something about that (this is not always possible). A new version of the area in the sphere can be calculated as follows:

using System;

class Circle
{
	private double _radius;

	public double Radius
	{
		get
		{
			if( _radius < 0 )
				return 0.00;
			else
				return _radius;
		}
		set
		{
			_radius = value;
		}
	}
	public double Diameter
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * 2;
		}
	}
	public double Circumference
	{
		get
		{
			return Diameter * 3.14159;
		}
	}
	public double Area
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}
}

class Sphere : Circle
{
	public double  Area
	{
		get
		{
			return 4 * Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}
}

class Exercise
{
	public static int Main()
	{
		Circle c = new Circle();
		c.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("Circle Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", c.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", c.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", c.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", c.Area);

		Sphere s = new Sphere();
		s.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("\nSphere Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", s.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", s.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", s.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", s.Area);

		return 0;
	}
}

This would produce:

Circle Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     2050.837805975

Sphere Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     8203.3512239

Press any key to continue

Notice that, this time, the areas of both figures are not the same even though their radii are similar.

Besides customizing member variables and methods of a parent class, you can add new members as you wish. This is another valuable feature of inheritance. In our example, while the is a flat shape, a sphere has a volume. In this case, you may need to calculate the volume of a sphere as a new method or property of the derived class. Here is an example:

using System;

class Circle
{
	private double _radius;

	public double Radius
	{
		get
		{
			if( _radius < 0 )
				return 0.00;
			else
				return _radius;
		}
		set
		{
			_radius = value;
		}
	}
	public double Diameter
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * 2;
		}
	}
	public double Circumference
	{
		get
		{
			return Diameter * 3.14159;
		}
	}
	public double Area
	{
		get
		{
			return Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}
}

class Sphere : Circle
{
	public double  Area
	{
		get
		{
			return 4 * Radius * Radius * 3.14159;
		}
	}

	public double Volume
	{
		get
		{
			return 4 * 3.14159 * Radius * Radius * Radius / 3;
		}
	}
}

class Exercise
{
	public static int Main()
	{
		Circle c = new Circle();
		c.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("Circle Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", c.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", c.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", c.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", c.Area);

		Sphere s = new Sphere();
		s.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("\nSphere Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", s.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", s.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", s.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", s.Area);
		Console.WriteLine("Volume: {0}\n", s.Volume);

		return 0;
	}
}

This would produce:

Circle Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     2050.837805975

Sphere Characteristics
Side:     25.55
Diameter: 51.1
Circumference: 160.535249
Area:     8203.3512239
Volume:   209595.623770645

Press any key to continue

If you create a property or method in a derived class and that property or method already exists in the parent class, when you access the property or method in the derived class, you must make sure you indicate what member you are accessing. To make this possible, the C# language provides the base keyword. To access a property or method of a parent class from the derived class, type the base keyword, followed by the period operator, followed by the name of the property or method of the base class.

 

Practical Learning Practical Learning: Calling Base Members

  1. To access members that have the same name as the base class, change the file as follows:
     
    using System;
    
    public enum TypeOfIDCardApplication
    {
    	NewCard = 1,
    	Replacement,
    	Correction,
    	Renewal,
    	Transfer
    }
    
    public class Applicant
    {
    	. . . No Change 
    }
    
    public class IdentityCard : Applicant
    {
    	. . . No Change
    
    	public void Registration()
    	{
    		do 
    		{
    			. . . No Change
    		} while(ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 5);
    		
    		base.Registration();
    
    		switch((TypeOfIDCardApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			. . . No Change
    		}
    	}
    
    	public void Show()
    	{
    		switch((TypeOfIDCardApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			. . . No Change
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine("Applicant's Information");
    		base.Show();
    		Console.WriteLine("Administration Notes or Comments");
    		Console.WriteLine(NotesOrComments);
    	}
    }
    
    public class VoterRegistration : Applicant
    {
    	public string Citizen;
    	
    	public void Registration()
    	{
    		char IsACitizen;
    
    		base.Registration();
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.Write("Are you a citizen(y=Yes/n=No)? ");
    			IsACitizen = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    			if( IsACitizen != 'y' && IsACitizen != 'Y' &&
    				IsACitizen != 'n' && IsACitizen != 'N' )
    				Console.WriteLine("Invalid Answer");
    		} while( IsACitizen != 'y' && IsACitizen != 'Y' &&
    			IsACitizen != 'n' && IsACitizen != 'N' );
    		if( IsACitizen == 'y' || IsACitizen == 'Y' )
    			Citizen = "Yes";
    		else
    			Citizen = "No";
    	}
    
    	public void Show()
    	{
    		base.Show();
    		Console.WriteLine("US Citizen:  {0}", this.Citizen);
    	}
    }
    
    public class Exercise
    {
    	public static int Main()
    	{
    		int ReasonToBeHereToday;
    
    		Console.WriteLine(" -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.WriteLine("So what brought you to the Motor Vehicle Department today?");
    			Console.WriteLine("1 - I need an Identity Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("2 - I need a Driver's License");
    			Console.WriteLine("3 - I want to register to vote");
    			Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    			ReasonToBeHereToday = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    			if( ReasonToBeHereToday < 1 || ReasonToBeHereToday > 3 )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid number as 1, 2, or 3");
    		} while( ReasonToBeHereToday < 1 || ReasonToBeHereToday > 3 );
    
    		switch(ReasonToBeHereToday)
    		{
    			case 1:
    				IdentityCard IDApplicant = new IdentityCard();
    				IDApplicant.Registration();
    				Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    				IDApplicant.Show();
    				break;
    
    			case 2:
    				Console.WriteLine("Come back tomorrow");
    				break;
    
    			case 3:
    				VoterRegistration Voter = new VoterRegistration();
    				Voter.Registration();
    				Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    				Voter.Show();
    				break;
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine();
    		return 0;
    	}
    }
  2. Execute the application. Here is an example:
     
    -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    So what brought you to the Motor Vehicle Department today?
    1 - I need an Identity Card
    2 - I need a Driver's License
    3 - I want to register to vote
    Your Choice: 3
    Full Name: Jeanne Maillot
    Sex(F=Female/M=Male): d
    Please enter a valid character
    Sex(F=Female/M=Male): f
    Are you a citizen(y=Yes/n=No)? m
    Invalid Answer
    Are you a citizen(y=Yes/n=No)? t
    Invalid Answer
    Are you a citizen(y=Yes/n=No)? y
    
     -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    Full Name:   Jeanne Maillot
    Sex:         Female
    US Citizen:  Yes
  3. Return to Visual C#

The new Modifier

Imagine you create a class used to process a circle as we saw earlier. You can use this as the base class for a cube. Both the square and the cube have an area but their values are different. This means that, as mentioned in our introduction to inheritance, when deriving the cube class, you would have to calculate a new area for the cube.

If you create or declare a new member in a derived class and that member has the same name as a member of the base class, when creating the new member, you may want to indicate to the compiler that, instead of overriding that same method that was defined in the base class, you want to create a brand new and independent version of that method. When doing this, you would be asking the compiler to hide the member of the base class that has the same name, when the member of the current class is invoked. To do this, type the new keyword to its left. Here is an example:

using System;

class Circle
{
	private double _radius;

	public double Radius
	{
		get { return (_radius < 0) ? 0.00 : _radius; }
		set	{ _radius = value; }
	}
	public double Diameter
	{
		get	{ return Radius * 2; }
	}
	public double Circumference
	{
		get	{ return Diameter * 3.14159; }
	}
	public double Area
	{
		get	{ return Radius * Radius * 3.14159; }
	}
}

class Sphere : Circle
{
	new public double  Area
	{
		get	{ return 4 * Radius * Radius * 3.14159; }
	}
	
	public double Volume
	{
		get	{ return 4 * 3.14159 * Radius * Radius * Radius / 3; }
	}
}

class Exercise
{
	public static int Main()
	{
		Circle c = new Circle();
		c.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("Circle Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", c.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", c.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", c.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", c.Area);

		Sphere s = new Sphere();
		s.Radius = 25.55;

		Console.WriteLine("\nSphere Characteristics");
		Console.WriteLine("Side:     {0}", s.Radius);
		Console.WriteLine("Diameter: {0}", s.Diameter);
		Console.WriteLine("Circumference: {0}", s.Circumference);
		Console.WriteLine("Area:     {0}", s.Area);
		Console.WriteLine("Volume: {0}\n", s.Volume);

		return 0;
	}
}

 

Practical Learning Practical Learning: Using the new Modifier

  1. To use the new modifier, change the file as follows:
     
    using System;
    
    public enum TypeOfIDCardApplication
    {
    	NewCard = 1,
    	Replacement,
    	Correction,
    	Renewal,
    	Transfer
    }
    
    public enum TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication
    {
    	NewLearnersPermit = 1,
    	NewDriversLicense,
    	Replacement,
    	Correction,
    	Renewal,
    	Transfer
    }
    
    public class Applicant
    {
    	private string name;
    	private string addr;
    	private string ct;
    	private string stt;
    	private string ZIP;
    	private string sex;
    	private string dob;
    	private int      wgt;
    	private string hgt;
    	private int      race;
    
    	public Applicant()
    	{
    	}
    	
    	public Applicant(string n)
    	{
    		this.name = n;
    	}
    
    	public Applicant(string n, string s)
    	{
    		this.name = n;
    		this.sex  = s;
    	}
    	
    	public string FullName
    	{
    		get { return name; }
    		set { name = value; }
    	}
    
    	public string Gender
    	{
    		get { return sex; }
    		set { sex = value; }
    	}
    
    	
    	public void Registration()
    	{
    		char s;
    
    		Console.Write("Full Name: ");
    		this.name = Console.ReadLine();
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.Write("Sex(F=Female/M=Male): ");
    			s = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    		
    			if( (s != 'f') && (s != 'F') && (s != 'm') && (s != 'M') )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid character");
    			sex = "Male";
    		}while( (s != 'f') && (s != 'F') && (s != 'm') && (s != 'M') );
    
    		if( (s == 'f') || s == 'F' )
    			sex = "Female";
    		else if( (s == 'm') || (s == 'M') )
    			sex = "Male";
    	}
    	
    	public void Show()
    	{
    		Console.WriteLine("Full Name:   {0}", this.name);
    		Console.WriteLine("Sex:         {0}", this.sex);
    	}
    }
    
    public class IdentityCard : Applicant
    {
    	public int ApplicationReason;
    	public int TypeOfAnswer;
    	public string TransferFrom;
    	public string NotesOrComments;
    
    	new public void Registration()
    	{
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.WriteLine("\nWhat's the reason you need an Identity Card?");
    			Console.WriteLine("1 - I need a new ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("2 - I need to replace my ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("3 - I need a correction on my ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("4 - I want to renew my current ID Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("5 - I want to transfer my ID Card");
    			Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    			ApplicationReason = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    
    			if( ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 5 )
    				Console.WriteLine("\nPlease enter a valid number between 1 and 5");
    		} while(ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 5);
    		
    		base.Registration();
    
    		switch((TypeOfIDCardApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.NewCard:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Replacement:
    				do
    				{
    					Console.WriteLine("\nWhat is the reason you want a replacement?");
    					Console.WriteLine("1 - I lost my ID Card");
    					Console.WriteLine("2 - My ID Card was stolen");
    					Console.WriteLine("3 - My ID Card is damaged");
    					Console.WriteLine("4 - The court/a judge ordered that I replace my ID");
    					Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    					TypeOfAnswer = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    					if( TypeOfAnswer < 1 || TypeOfAnswer > 4 )
    						Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    				} while( TypeOfAnswer < 1 || TypeOfAnswer > 4 );
    
    				Console.WriteLine("Write the applican't description");
    				NotesOrComments = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Correction:
    				do
    				{
    					Console.WriteLine("\nWhat is the reason you want a correction?");
    					Console.WriteLine("5 - There is an error on the card");
    					Console.WriteLine("6 - The picture (only the picture) on it is not wright");
    					Console.WriteLine("7 - I got married");
    					Console.WriteLine("8 - I got a divorce");
    					Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    					TypeOfAnswer = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    					if( TypeOfAnswer < 5 || TypeOfAnswer > 8 )
    						Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    				} while( TypeOfAnswer < 5 || TypeOfAnswer > 8 );
    				
    				Console.WriteLine("Write the applican't description");
    				NotesOrComments = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Renewal:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Transfer:
    				Console.WriteLine("What US state or Canadian province are you transferring your ID from?");
    				TransferFrom = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    		}
    	}
    
    	new public void Show()
    	{
    		switch((TypeOfIDCardApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.NewCard:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for New Identity Card");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Replacement:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Replacement");	
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Correction:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Correction");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Renewal:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Renewal");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfIDCardApplication.Transfer:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Identity Card Transfer");
    				Console.WriteLine("Identity Card Transferred From: {0}", TransferFrom);
    				break;
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine("Applicant's Information");
    		base.Show();
    		Console.WriteLine("Administration Notes or Comments");
    		Console.WriteLine(NotesOrComments);
    	}
    }
    
    public class DriversLicense : Applicant
    {
    	public int    ApplicationReason;
    	public int    TypeOfAnswer;
    	public string TransferFrom;
    	public char   DLClass;
    	public char   OrganDonorAnswer;
    	public string OrganDonor;
    	public string NotesOrComments;
    
    	new public void Registration()
    	{
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.WriteLine("\nWhat's the reason you need a driver's license today?");
    			Console.WriteLine("1 - I want to apply for a new learner's permit");
    			Console.WriteLine("2 - I hold a learner's permit. Now I need a driver's license");
    			Console.WriteLine("3 - I need to replace my driver's license Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("4 - I need a correction on my driver's license Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("5 - I want to renew my current driver's license");
    			Console.WriteLine("6 - I want to transfer my driver's license from another state");
    			Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    			ApplicationReason = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    
    			if( ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 6 )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid number between 1 and 5");
    		} while( ApplicationReason < 1 || ApplicationReason > 6 );
    		
    		base.Registration();
    
    		switch((TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.NewLearnersPermit:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.NewDriversLicense:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Replacement:
    				do
    				{
    					Console.WriteLine("\nWhat is the reason you want a replacement?");
    					Console.WriteLine("1 - I lost my driver's license card");
    					Console.WriteLine("2 - My driver's license card was stolen");
    					Console.WriteLine("3 - My driver's license card is damaged");
    					Console.WriteLine("4 - The court/a judge ordered that I replace my driver's license");
    					Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    					TypeOfAnswer = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    					if( TypeOfAnswer < 1 || TypeOfAnswer > 4 )
    						Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    				} while( TypeOfAnswer < 1 || TypeOfAnswer > 4 );
    
    				Console.WriteLine("\nWrite the applican't description");
    				NotesOrComments = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Correction:
    				do
    				{
    					Console.WriteLine("\nWhat is the reason you want a correction?");
    					Console.WriteLine("5  - There is an error on my driver's license card");
    					Console.WriteLine("6  - The picture (only the picture) my driver's license is not wright");
    					Console.WriteLine("7  - I have decided to be an organ donor if I die");
    					Console.WriteLine("8  - I don't want to be an organ donor anymore if I die");
    					Console.WriteLine("9  - I got married");
    					Console.WriteLine("10 - I got a divorce");
    					Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    					TypeOfAnswer = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    					if( TypeOfAnswer < 5 || TypeOfAnswer > 10 )
    						Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    				} while( TypeOfAnswer < 5 || TypeOfAnswer > 10 );
    				
    				Console.WriteLine("Write the applican't description");
    				NotesOrComments = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Renewal:
    				break;
    
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Transfer:
    				Console.WriteLine("\nWhat US state or Canadian province are you transferring your driver's license from?");
    				TransferFrom = Console.ReadLine();
    				break;
    		}
    		
    		Console.WriteLine("\nWhat class of driver's license are you applying for?");
    		Console.WriteLine("A - All Non-commercial vehicles except motorcycles");
    		Console.WriteLine("B - Non-commercial vehicles up to and including 26,001/more lbs.");
    		Console.WriteLine("C - Cars, pick-up trucks, non-commercial vehicles 26,000 lbs.");
    		Console.WriteLine("K - Mopeds");
    		Console.WriteLine("M - Motorcycles");
    		Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    		DLClass = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.Write("\nAre you willing to be an Organ Donor(y=Yes/n=No)? ");
    			OrganDonorAnswer = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    			if( OrganDonorAnswer != 'y' && OrganDonorAnswer != 'Y' &&
    				OrganDonorAnswer != 'n' && OrganDonorAnswer != 'N' )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter the correct answer");
    		} while( OrganDonorAnswer != 'y' && OrganDonorAnswer != 'Y' &&
    			OrganDonorAnswer != 'n' && OrganDonorAnswer != 'N' );
    		if( OrganDonorAnswer == 'y' || OrganDonorAnswer == 'Y' )
    			OrganDonor = "Yes";
    		else
    			OrganDonor = "No";
    	}
    
    	new public void Show()
    	{
    		switch((TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication)ApplicationReason)
    		{
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.NewLearnersPermit:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for New Learner's Permit");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.NewDriversLicense:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for New Driver's License");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Replacement:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Driver's License Replacement");	
    				break;
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Correction:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Driver's License Card Correction");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Renewal:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Driver's License Renewal");
    				break;
    			case TypeOfDriversLicenseApplication.Transfer:
    				Console.WriteLine("Application for Driver's License Transfer");
    				Console.WriteLine("Driver's License Transferred From: {0}", TransferFrom);
    				break;
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine("Applicant's Information");
    		base.Show();
    
    		switch(DLClass)
    		{
    			case 'a':
    			case 'A':
    				Console.WriteLine("Class:       A");
    				break;
    			case 'b':
    			case 'B':
    				Console.WriteLine("Class:       B");
    				break;
    			case 'c':
    			case 'C':
    				Console.WriteLine("Class:       C");
    				break;
    			case 'k':
    			case 'K':
    				Console.WriteLine("Class:       K");
    				break;
    			case 'm':
    			case 'M':
    				Console.WriteLine("Class:       M");
    				break;
    			default:
    				Console.WriteLine("Class:       Unknown");
    				break;
    				
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine("Organ Donor? {0}", OrganDonor);
    		Console.WriteLine("Administration Notes or Comments");
    		Console.WriteLine(NotesOrComments);
    	}
    }
    
    class VoterRegistration : Applicant
    {
    	public string Citizen;
    	
    	new public void Registration()
    	{
    		char IsACitizen;
    
    		base.Registration();
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.Write("\nAre you a citizen(y=Yes/n=No)? ");
    			IsACitizen = char.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    			if( IsACitizen != 'y' && IsACitizen != 'Y' &&
    				IsACitizen != 'n' && IsACitizen != 'N' )
    				Console.WriteLine("Invalid Answer");
    		} while( IsACitizen != 'y' && IsACitizen != 'Y' &&
    			IsACitizen != 'n' && IsACitizen != 'N' );
    		if( IsACitizen == 'y' || IsACitizen == 'Y' )
    			Citizen = "Yes";
    		else
    			Citizen = "No";
    	}
    
    	new public void Show()
    	{
    		base.Show();
    		Console.WriteLine("US Citizen:  {0}", this.Citizen);
    	}
    }
    
    public class Exercise
    {
    	public static int Main()
    	{
    		int ReasonToBeHereToday;
    
    		Console.WriteLine(" -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    
    		do 
    		{
    			Console.WriteLine("So what brought you to the Motor Vehicle Department today?");
    			Console.WriteLine("1 - I need an Identity Card");
    			Console.WriteLine("2 - I need a Driver's License");
    			Console.WriteLine("3 - I want to register to vote");
    			Console.Write("Your Choice: ");
    			ReasonToBeHereToday = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine());
    			if( ReasonToBeHereToday < 1 || ReasonToBeHereToday > 3 )
    				Console.WriteLine("Please enter a valid number as 1, 2, or 3");
    		} while( ReasonToBeHereToday < 1 || ReasonToBeHereToday > 3 );
    
    		switch(ReasonToBeHereToday)
    		{
    			case 1:
    				IdentityCard IDApplicant = new IdentityCard();
    				IDApplicant.Registration();
    				Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    				IDApplicant.Show();
    				break;
    
    			case 2:
    				DriversLicense DL = new DriversLicense();
    				DL.Registration();
    				Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    				DL.Show();
    				break;
    
    			case 3:
    				VoterRegistration Voter = new VoterRegistration();
    				Voter.Registration();
    				Console.WriteLine("\n -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-");
    				Voter.Show();
    				break;
    		}
    
    		Console.WriteLine();
    		return 0;
    	}
    }
  2. Execute the application. Here is an example:
     
    -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    So what brought you to the Motor Vehicle Department today?
    1 - I need an Identity Card
    2 - I need a Driver's License
    3 - I want to register to vote
    Your Choice: 2
    
    What's the reason you need a driver's license today?
    1 - I want to apply for a new learner's permit
    2 - I hold a learner's permit. Now I need a driver's license
    3 - I need to replace my driver's license Card
    4 - I need a correction on my driver's license Card
    5 - I want to renew my current driver's license
    6 - I want to transfer my driver's license from another state
    Your Choice: 3
    Full Name: Donnie Pastore
    Sex(F=Female/M=Male): k
    Please enter a valid character
    Sex(F=Female/M=Male): m
    
    What is the reason you want a replacement?
    1 - I lost my driver's license card
    2 - My driver's license card was stolen
    3 - My driver's license card is damaged
    4 - The court/a judge ordered that I replace my driver's license
    Your Choice: 3
    
    Write the applican't description
    The applicant presented a driver's license card that was largely torn on one sid
    e. He wanted it replaced.
    
    What class of driver's license are you applying for?
    A - All Non-commercial vehicles except motorcycles
    B - Non-commercial vehicles up to and including 26,001/more lbs.
    C - Cars, pick-up trucks, non-commercial vehicles 26,000 lbs.
    K - Mopeds
    M - Motorcycles
    Your Choice: c
    
    Are you willing to be an Organ Donor(y=Yes/n=No)? n
    
     -=- Motor Vehicle Administration -=-
    Application for Driver's License Replacement
    Applicant's Information
    Full Name:   Donnie Pastore
    Sex:         Male
    Class:       C
    Organ Donor? No
    Administration Notes or Comments
    The applicant presented a driver's license card that was largely torn on one sid
    e. He wanted it replaced.
  3. Return to Visual C#
 

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