Is it possible to change a C++ object's class after instantiation?

Question

I have a bunch of classes which all inherit the same attributes from a common base class. The base class implements some virtual functions that work in general cases, whilst eac

Answer 1

In addition to other answers, you could use function pointers (or any wrapper on them, like std::function) to achieve the necessary bevahior:

void print_base(void) {
    cout << "This is base" << endl;
}

void print_derived(void) {
    cout << "This is derived" << endl;
}

class Base {
public:
    void (*print)(void);

    Base() {
        print = print_base;
    }
};

class Derived : public Base {
public:
    Derived() {
        print = print_derived;
    }
};

int main() {
    Base* b = new Derived();
    b->print(); // prints "This is derived"
    *b = Base();
    b->print(); // prints "This is base"
    return 0;
}

Also, such function pointers approach would allow you to change any of the functions of the objects in run-time, not limiting you to some already defined sets of members implemented in derived classes.