Why isn't that a compilation error? - define a variable in a subclass with the same name of a superclass method

[Ali Çehreli]

On 11/10/22 07:02, Hipreme wrote:
 > On Thursday, 10 November 2022 at 14:30:30 UTC, Steven Schveighoffer 
wrote:

 >> When you derive a type, and override a name, the old name is masked or
 >> hidden.

Yes, this is know as "name hiding" and well known in C++ circles. It 
hides not only functions but member variables as well.

 > That could trigger an error or at least a warning, just silently hiding
 > that can lead to bugs

The opposite can cause bugs as well and that's why such a feature 
exists: Imagine a case where foo(42) call was being dispatched to the 
subclass's foo(double) member function. Without your knowledge, the base 
class adds a foo(int) to their existing foo(string). Now your foo(42) 
call would silently be dispatched to the base class function.

Name hiding makes it explicit where you want your calls go to.

Ali