Why do we need virtual functions in C++?

Question

I\'m learning C++ and I\'m just getting into virtual functions.

From what I\'ve read (in the book and online), virtual functions are functions in the base class that

Answer 1

i think you are referring to the fact once a method is declared virtual you don't need to use the 'virtual' keyword in overrides.

class Base { virtual void foo(); };

class Derived : Base 
{ 
  void foo(); // this is overriding Base::foo
};

If you don't use 'virtual' in Base's foo declaration then Derived's foo would just be shadowing it.