Concept of Virtual Functions and Method Overriding in C#

Virtual Methods:

In C#, a virtual function or method is a function that is declared in the base class and can be overridden in the derived class. The virtual keyword is used to modify a method, property, indexer, or event declaration, and allow it to be overridden in a derived class.

Method Overriding:

Method overriding is a feature in C# that enables a derived class to provide a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its base class. This allows you to redefine the behavior of a method in the derived class, tailoring it to the derived class's specific needs.

To override a method in C#, the following conditions must be met:

• Inheritance: The derived class must inherit from the base class.
• Method Signature: The method in the derived class must have the same name and parameter list as the method in the base class.
• The method in the base class must be marked with the virtual keyword.
• The method in the derived class uses the override keyword to override the base class method.

Example:

class Parent
{
    public virtual void Print()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("This is the Print method of the Parent class.");
    }
}

class Child : Parent
{
    public override void Print()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("This is the Print method of the Child class.");
    }
}

class Program
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        Child childDerived = new Child();
        childDerived.Print();
    }
}

In this example, when childDerived.Print(); is called, the Print method of the Child class is executed, not the one from the Parent class, because it's overridden in the Child class.