How do you express inheritance in C++?, C++ FAQ

C++ FAQ / Section 19 / FAQ 19.3

Section 19:

19.1	Is inheritance important to C++?
19.2	When would I use inheritance?
19.3	How do you express inheritance in C++?
19.4	Is it OK to convert a pointer from a derived class to its base class?
19.5	What's the difference between `public`, `private`, and `protected`?
19.6	Why can't my derived class access `private` things from my base class?
19.7	How can I protect derived classes from breaking when I change the internal parts of the base class?
19.8	Protected data vs. private data with protected access functions?
19.9	Okay, so exactly how should I decide whether to build a "`protected` interface"?

[19.3] How do you express inheritance in C++?

By the : public syntax:

class Car : public Vehicle {
public:
  ...
};

We state the above relationship in several ways:

Car is "a kind of a" Vehicle
Car is "derived from" Vehicle
Car is "a specialized" Vehicle
Car is a "subclass" of Vehicle
Car is a "derived class" of Vehicle
Vehicle is the "base class" of Car
Vehicle is the "superclass" of Car (this not as common in the C++ community)

(Note: this FAQ has to do with public inheritance; private and protected inheritance are different.)