In C#, an abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated.
Instead, it serves as a base class for other
classes to inherit from. Abstract classes are used to define a common set of behaviors or properties that
derived classes should have.
To create an abstract class in C#, you use the “abstract” keyword before the class definition. Here is an
example:
• C#
using System;
public abstract class Animal
public abstract string Sound { get; }
public virtual void Move()
Console.WriteLine("Moving...");
public class Cat : Animal
public override string Sound => "Meow";
public override void Move()
Console.WriteLine("Walking like a cat...");
}
public class Dog : Animal
public override string Sound => "Woof";
public override void Move()
Console.WriteLine("Running like a dog...");
class Program
static void Main(string[] args)
Animal[] animals = new Animal[] { new Cat(), new Dog() };
foreach (Animal animal in animals)
Console.WriteLine($"The {animal.GetType().Name} goes {animal.Sound}");
animal.Move();
Output
The Cat goes Meow
Walking like a cat...
The Dog goes Woof
Running like a dog...
Abstraction in C# is the process to hide the internal details and show only the functionality. The abstract
modifier indicates the incomplete implementation. The keyword abstract is used before the class or
method to declare the class or method as abstract. Also, the abstract modifier can be used
with indexers, events, and properties.
Example:
public abstract void geek();
// this indicates the method 'geek()' is abstract
abstract class gfg
// this indicates the class 'gfg' is abstract
Abstract Method: A method that is declared abstract, has no “body” and is declared inside the abstract
class only. An abstract method must be implemented in all non-abstract classes using the override
keyword. After overriding, the abstract method is in the non-Abstract class. We can derive this class in
another class, and again we can override the same abstract method with it.
Syntax:
public abstract void geek();
// the method 'geek()' is abstract
Abstract Class: This is the way to achieve the abstraction in C#. An Abstract class is never intended to be
instantiated directly. An abstract class can also be created without any abstract methods, We can mark a
class abstract even if doesn’t have any abstract method. The Abstract classes are typically used to define
a base class in the class hierarchy. Or in other words, an abstract class is an incomplete class or a special
class we can’t be instantiated. The purpose of an abstract class is to provide a blueprint for derived
classes and set some rules that the derived classes must implement when they inherit an abstract class.
We can use an abstract class as a base class and all derived classes must implement abstract definitions.
Syntax:
abstract class gfg{}
// class 'gfg' is abstract
Important Points:
• Generally, we use abstract class at the time of inheritance.
• A user must use the override keyword before the method is declared as abstract in the child
class, the abstract class is used to inherit in the child class.
• An abstract class cannot be inherited by structures.
• It can contain constructors or destructors.
• It can implement functions with non-Abstract methods.
• It cannot support multiple inheritances.
• It can’t be static.
Example 1: Program to show the working of an abstract class
• C#
// C# program to show the
// working of abstract class
using System;
// abstract class 'GeeksForGeeks'
public abstract class GeeksForGeeks {
// abstract method 'gfg()'
public abstract void gfg();
// class 'GeeksForGeeks' inherit
// in child class 'Geek1'
public class Geek1 : GeeksForGeeks
// abstract method 'gfg()'
// declare here with
// 'override' keyword
public override void gfg()
{
Console.WriteLine("class Geek1");
// class 'GeeksForGeeks' inherit in
// another child class 'Geek2'
public class Geek2 : GeeksForGeeks
// same as the previous class
public override void gfg()
Console.WriteLine("class Geek2");
// Driver Class
public class main_method {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
// 'g' is object of class
// 'GeeksForGeeks' class '
// GeeksForGeeks' cannot
// be instantiate
GeeksForGeeks g;
// instantiate class 'Geek1'
g = new Geek1();
// call 'gfg()' of class 'Geek1'
g.gfg();
// instantiate class 'Geek2'
g = new Geek2();
// call 'gfg()' of class 'Geek2'
g.gfg();
Output
class Geek1
class Geek2
Example 2: Program to calculate the area of a square using abstract class and abstract method
• C#
// C# program to calculate the area
// of a Square using abstract class
// and abstract method
using System;
// declare class 'AreaClass'
// as abstract
abstract class AreaClass
// declare method
// 'Area' as abstract
abstract public int Area();
// class 'AreaClass' inherit
// in child class 'Square'
class Square : AreaClass
int side = 0;
// constructor
public Square(int n)
side = n;
// the abstract method
// 'Area' is overridden here
public override int Area()
return side * side;
}
}
class gfg {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
Square s = new Square(6);
Console.WriteLine("Area = " + s.Area());
Output
Area = 36
Following are some important observations about abstract classes in C#
1) An Abstract class does not mean that it only contains abstract methods. An Abstract class can also
contain non-abstract methods also.
Syntax:
abstract class gfg
public void geek()
Console.WriteLine("'geek()' is non-abstract method");
Example:
• C#
// C# program to show the working of
// the non-abstract method in the
// abstract class
using System;
abstract class AbstractClass {
// Non abstract method
public int AddTwoNumbers(int Num1, int Num2)
return Num1 + Num2;
// An abstract method which
// overridden in the derived class
public abstract int MultiplyTwoNumbers(int Num1, int Num2);
// Child Class of AbstractClass
class Derived : AbstractClass {
// implementing the abstract
// method 'MultiplyTwoNumbers'
// using override keyword,
public override int MultiplyTwoNumbers(int Num1, int Num2)
return Num1 * Num2;
}
// Driver Class
class geek {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
// Instance of the derived class
Derived d = new Derived();
Console.WriteLine("Addition : {0}\nMultiplication :{1}",
d.AddTwoNumbers(4, 6),
d.MultiplyTwoNumbers(6, 4));
Output
Addition : 10
Multiplication :24
2) Abstract class can also work with get and set accessors.
Example:
• C#
// C# program to show the working
// of abstract class with the
// get and set accessors
using System;
abstract class absClass {
protected int myNumber;
public abstract int numbers
get;
set;
class absDerived : absClass {
// Implementing abstract properties
public override int numbers
get
return myNumber;
set
myNumber = value;
}
}
// Driver Class
class geek {
// Main Method
public static void Main()
absDerived d = new absDerived();
d.numbers = 5;
Console.WriteLine(d.numbers);
Output
There are several advantages and disadvantages to using abstract classes in C#. Here are some of the
main ones:
Advantages:
1. Encapsulation: Abstract classes allow you to define a common set of behaviors or properties that
derived classes should have, without
2. exposing the implementation details of those behaviors or properties to the outside world. This
can help you create more maintainable and flexible code.
3. Code reuse: Abstract classes can be used as a base class for multiple derived classes, which can
help reduce code duplication and improve code reuse.
4. Polymorphism: Abstract classes can be used to achieve polymorphism, which allows you to write
code that works with objects of different derived classes, as long as they all inherit from the
same abstract base class.
Disadvantages:
1. Tight coupling: Abstract classes can create tight coupling between the base class and derived
classes, which can make it harder to modify the base class without affecting the derived classes.
2. Limited inheritance: C# only allows a class to inherit from a single base class, so if you use an
abstract class as a base class, you limit the ability of derived classes to inherit from other classes.
3. Difficulty in testing: Because abstract classes cannot be instantiated directly, they can be more
difficult to test than regular classes. In order to test a derived class, you may need to create a
mock or stub of the abstract base class.
4. Overall, abstract classes can be a powerful tool for creating flexible and maintainable code, but
they should be used judiciously, taking into account the specific requirements of your
application.
