I have no experience with virtual constructors that are available in Delphi. I am considering using virtual ctors in a class hierarchy to reset an instance to an initial state like this:
A = class
end;
B = class(A)
end;
C = class(B)
end;
FooA = class
a_ : A;
constructor Create(inst : A); overload;
constructor Create; overload; virtual; abstract;
destructor Destroy; override;
function Bar : A;
end;
FooB = class(FooA)
b_ : B;
constructor Create; override;
constructor Create(inst : B); overload;
end;
FooC = class(FooB)
// ...
end;
{ FooA }
constructor FooA.Create(inst: A);
begin
inherited Create;
a_ := inst;
end;
destructor FooA.Destroy;
begin
FreeAndNil(a_);
inherited;
end;
function FooA.Bar : A;
begin
Result := a_;
a_ := nil;
// here comes the magic
Self.Create;
end;
{ FooB }
constructor FooB.Create;
begin
b_ := B.Create;
inherited Create(b_);
end;
constructor FooB.Create(inst: B);
begin
inherited Create(inst);
b_ := inst;
end;
{ FooC } // ...
var
fc : FooA;
baz : A;
begin
fc := FooC.Create;
baz := fc.Bar;
WriteLn(baz.ClassName);
FreeAndNil(baz);
FreeAndNil(fc);
ReadLn;
end.
Are there any problems / traps in this project? A simple example works like a charm, but I feel a little complicated call constructors (which don't create anything).
Edit:
I decided to transfer initialization to a method in a protected area with a meaningful name, which makes me feel better; -)
FooA = class
strict private
a_ : A;
strict protected
procedure SetInst; overload; virtual; abstract;
procedure SetInst(i : A); overload;
public
constructor Create;
destructor Destroy; override;
function Foo : A;
end;
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