Why do we not have a virtual constructor in C++?

c++ constructor virtual-functions
Arjun picture Arjun · Apr 9, 2009 · Viewed 237k times · Source

Why does C++ not have a virtual constructor?

Answer

aJ. picture aJ. · Apr 9, 2009

Hear it from the horse's mouth. :)

From Bjarne Stroustrup's C++ Style and Technique FAQ Why don't we have virtual constructors?

A virtual call is a mechanism to get work done given partial information. In particular, "virtual" allows us to call a function knowing only any interfaces and not the exact type of the object. To create an object you need complete information. In particular, you need to know the exact type of what you want to create. Consequently, a "call to a constructor" cannot be virtual.

The FAQ entry goes on to give the code for a way to achieve this end without a virtual constructor.

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