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C#

Brandon Cooper
Brandon Cooper
3,249 Points
Posted by Brandon Cooper
Brandon Cooper
3,249 Points

Abstract class purpose?

I understand the purpose of the abstract keyword is to communicate with other programmers that it is a base class in which sub classes should derive from. However, wouldn't a simple comment next to the class provide the same information without require the BasicInvader.cs file to be created? What other benefits result from the abstract keyword? Thanks!

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,172 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,172 Points

It's better than a comment because it's enforced by the compiler.

By declaring a class "abstract", you're telling the compiler not to allow this class to be instantiated. It can only be used through inheritance by a subclass. The subclass must implement methods that are declared but not implemented in the abstract base class.