add a comparison of classic and modern polymorphism

.coderabbit.yaml

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://coderabbit.ai/integrations/schema.v2.json
+language: "en-US"
+early_access: false
+reviews:
+  profile: "assertive"
+  request_changes_workflow: false
+  high_level_summary: true
+  poem: true
+  review_status: true
+  collapse_walkthrough: false
+  auto_review:
+    enabled: true
+    drafts: false
+chat:
+  auto_reply: true

.github/workflows/build_examples.yml

@@ -14,10 +14,13 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: configure
         run: cmake -D CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -B build_example_3 -S example_3
+
       - name: build example_3
         run: cmake --build build_example_3 --config Release --target example_3
+
       - name: create example_3 package
         run: cmake --build build_example_3 --config Release --target package
+
       - name: check content of *.deb package
         id: check-packages
         working-directory: build_example_3
@@ -31,6 +34,7 @@ jobs:
           echo "RPM_PACKAGE_FILENAME=${RPM_PACKAGE_FILENAME}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           echo "Checking content of '$DEBIAN_PACKAGE_FILENAME'" 
           dpkg -c ${DEBIAN_PACKAGE_FILENAME}
+
       - name: Release
         uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
         ## if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/')
@@ -40,6 +44,15 @@ jobs:
             build_example_3/${{ steps.check-packages.outputs.DEBIAN_PACKAGE_FILENAME }}
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           tag_name: latest
+
+      - name: Configure polymorphism
+        run: cmake -D CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug -B build_polymorphism -S polymorphism
+
+      - name: Build polymorphism
+        run: cmake --build build_polymorphism --config Debug --target all --parallel
+
+      - name: Test polymorphism
+        run: ctest --test-dir build_polymorphism --output-on-failure --build-config Debug
 # TODO: check https://github.com/marketplace/actions/cmake-swiss-army-knife
 # TODO: check https://github.com/actions/starter-workflows/blob/9f1db534549e072c20d5d1a79e0a4ff45a674caf/ci/cmake-multi-platform.yml#L20
 

polymorphism/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.29)
+
+project(polymorphism VERSION 1.0.0 LANGUAGES CXX)
+
+# Enable testing by default when this is the top-level project
+option(POLYMORPHISM_ENABLE_TESTING "enable testing for polymorphism" ${PROJECT_IS_TOP_LEVEL})
+
+add_executable(${PROJECT_NAME}
+    src/consume_class_with_interface.cpp
+    src/consume_class_that_adheres_to_concept.cpp
+    src/main.cpp
+)
+
+target_compile_features(${PROJECT_NAME} PUBLIC cxx_std_23)
+target_include_directories(${PROJECT_NAME} PUBLIC include)
+target_include_directories(${PROJECT_NAME} PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src)
+
+if(POLYMORPHISM_ENABLE_TESTING)
+    message(STATUS "Polymorphism testing enabled")
+    enable_testing()
+    add_subdirectory(test)
+else()
+    message(STATUS "Polymorphism testing disabled")
+endif()

polymorphism/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+# C++ Polymorphism Example
+
+## Summary
+
+This example shows two different ways to implement [polymorphism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism_(computer_science)) in C++:
+
+1. The classic approach using an [abstract class](https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/language/abstract_class) which is used to define an interface and from which the implementation inherits.
+2. The modern approach using [concepts](https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/language/constraints) to declare features a type must have.
+
+In addition, this directory contains an example about how to perform unit tests using the [ut testing framework](https://github.com/boost-ext/ut).
+
+## Build Instructions
+
+### Preparation
+
+Create a subdirectory `build_polymorphism` and prepare the build system for the source located in `polymorphism` in this subdirectory: For release builds use
+
+```bash
+cmake -D CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -B build_polymorphism -S polymorphism
+```
+For debug builds use
+
+```bash
+cmake -D CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug -B build_polymorphism -S polymorphism
+```
+
+### Building the `polymorphism` project
+
+Call `cmake` from the top level like this:
+
+```bash
+cmake --build build_polymorphism --config Release --target polymorphism --parallel
+```
+
+## Test Instructions
+
+### Build the tests
+
+```bash
+VERBOSE=1 cmake --build build_polymorphism --clean-first --config Debug --target all --parallel
+```
+
+### Run the tests
+
+```bash
+ctest --test-dir build_polymorphism  --output-on-failure --build-config Debug
+```
+
+## Code Explanations
+
+### Classic Approach
+
+In classic C++, interfaces are defined via [abstract base classes](https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/language/abstract_class) from which the implementation (publicly) inherits. In this example, we have defined such an abstract class:
+
+```c++
+class ISuperCoolFeatures {
+public:
+    virtual std::string coolFeature() const = 0; // Pure virtual function
+    virtual void set(std::string s) = 0; // Pure virtual function
+    virtual ~ISuperCoolFeatures() = default; // Virtual destructor
+};
+```
+
+Instead of defining the member function body (which is possible in a regular class), the member functions of an abstract interface class are declared "pure virtual" by adding `= 0` to their declaration.
+
+Any so-called **implementation** of the interface publicly inherits from this abstract base class and then declares and defines member functions that match the declarations of the pure virtual functions in the abstract interface class:
+
+```c++
+class Impl
+    : public ISuperCoolFeatures {
+
+// ... private members and member functions omitted ...
+
+public:
+    std::string coolFeature() const override { return s_; }
+    void set(std::string s) override
+    {
+        // ... implementation omitted ...
+    }
+};
+```
+
+A variable (aka instantiation) of type `Impl` can be passed as argument to any function that expects an argument of its interface type `ISuperCoolFeatures`.
+
+In our example, we define a function which has one argument of type `ISuperCoolFeatures`, and returns a `std::string`:
+
+```c++
+std::string consume(ISuperCoolFeatures& f);
+```
+
+We then pass an argument of type `Impl` to it, e.g. like this:
+
+```c++
+Impl i;
+consume(i);
+```
+
+Since it is best practice, the example code puts the type and function definitions into namespaces.
+
+### Modern Approach
+
+In modern C++, interfaces can also be defined via [concepts](https://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/language/constraints), which can be used to declare what features a concrete class must have. It is slightly more powerful in what can be described.
+
+It also has a great advantage that it is non-intrusive, i.e. it does not require a concrete class to inherit from a certain interface class. This is of advantage when you are not owner of the code of a class that you want to use and cannot change its declaration and definition.
+
+This means that objects of completely unrelated classes can be passed as arguments to a member function (aka method) or a free function, if they all have certain member functions defined.
+
+From a code structuring point of view, this means that the cohesion between different parts of the code is reduced.
+
+In this example, we have defined such an interface specification as a concept:
+
+```c++
+template <typename T>
+concept has_super_cool_features = requires(T t, std::string s) {
+    { t.coolFeature() } -> std::convertible_to<std::string>;
+    { t.set(s) } -> std::same_as<void>;
+};
+```
+
+We then declare a function that takes arguments whose type adheres to the constraints defined by the concept:
+
+```c++
+std::string consume(has_super_cool_features auto& s);
+```
+
+and can use it in the very same way like in the classic case:
+
+```c++
+Impl i;
+consume(i);
+```
+
+In this approach, our implementation is defined **without** inheritance:
+
+```c++
+class Impl {
+
+// ...
+
+public:
+    std::string coolFeature() const { /* ... some code ... */ }
+    void set(std::string s)
+    {
+        // code omitted
+    }
+};
+```
+
+To catch errors in the implementation before the class gets uses somewhere else in the code, it suffices to check against the concept like this:
+
+```c++
+static_assert(has_super_cool_features<Impl>);
+```
+
+Please note, that this modern approach with its advantages in code decoupling, flexibility and a more powerful description of its features comes at a price:
+
+Functions that use `<some concept> auto` as parameter type are *generic* and this requires either their implicit or their explicit instantiation.
+
+Implicit instantiation of the function can take place if its **definition** is visible at the point of usage.
+
+In this example, we use explicit instantiation to show the possibility to clearly separate the definition (implementation) of the generic function from its declaration.
+
+You can find the definition of `consume` in `src/consume_class_that_adheres_to_concept.ipp` which is then included into `src/consume_class_that_adheres_to_concept.cpp`. In the latter file we also place all explicit instantiations of `consume`:
+
+```c++
+// explicit template instantiation
+template std::string consume<Impl>(Impl&);
+```
+
+As an alternative, the *definition* of `consume` could be in the header `include/polymorphism/consume_class_that_adheres_to_concept.hpp`. Then the explicit template instantiation is no longer required.
+
+## Testing
+
+In this example, I use [µt](https://github.com/boost-ext/ut) as testing framework for no good reason. It looks promising and lightweight, and it was written by [Krzysztof Jusiak](https://github.com/krzysztof-jusiak) whom I adore for his outstanding C++ programming skills and his [C++ Tip of The Week](https://github.com/tip-of-the-week/cpp) collection of crazy C++ riddles.
+
+The one-header version of it is pulled into the project via the CMake call
+
+```cmake
+FetchContent_Declare(ut
+    URL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/boost-ext/ut/refs/heads/master/include/boost/ut.hpp
+    DOWNLOAD_NO_EXTRACT TRUE
+    SOURCE_DIR ut
+)
+FetchContent_MakeAvailable(ut)
+```
+
+and the directory to which the header is downloaded is added to the search path set for the build of the test executables:
+
+```cmake
+target_include_directories(test_consume PUBLIC "${ut_SOURCE_DIR}")
+```
+
+Please refer to [this slidedeck](https://boost-ext.github.io/ut/denver-cpp-2019/#/) for further documentation of this test library.

polymorphism/include/polymorphism/consume_class_that_adheres_to_concept.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#ifndef POYMORPHISM_CONSUME_CLASS_THAT_ADHERES_TO_CONCEPT_HPP
+#define POYMORPHISM_CONSUME_CLASS_THAT_ADHERES_TO_CONCEPT_HPP
+
+#include <polymorphism/has_super_cool_features.hpp>
+
+#include <string>
+
+namespace modern {
+
+// declaration with concept constraint
+std::string consume(has_super_cool_features auto& s);
+
+} // namespace modern
+
+#endif // POYMORPHISM_CONSUME_CLASS_THAT_ADHERES_TO_CONCEPT_HPP

polymorphism/include/polymorphism/consume_class_with_interface.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+#ifndef POLYMORPHISM_CONSUME_CLASS_WITH_INTERFACE_HPP
+#define POLYMORPHISM_CONSUME_CLASS_WITH_INTERFACE_HPP
+
+#include <polymorphism/i_super_cool_features.hpp>
+
+namespace classic {
+
+std::string consume(ISuperCoolFeatures& f);
+
+} // namespace classic
+
+#endif // POLYMORPHISM_CONSUME_CLASS_WITH_INTERFACE_HPP

polymorphism/include/polymorphism/has_super_cool_features.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#ifndef POYMORPHISM_HAS_SUPER_COOL_FEATURES_HPP
+#define POYMORPHISM_HAS_SUPER_COOL_FEATURES_HPP
+
+#include <string>
+
+namespace modern {
+
+/// @brief A concept defintion describing a class or struct that has two member functions.
+template <typename T>
+concept has_super_cool_features = requires(T t, std::string s) {
+    { t.coolFeature() } -> std::convertible_to<std::string>;
+    { t.set(s) } -> std::same_as<void>;
+};
+
+} // namespace modern
+
+#endif // POYMORPHISM_HAS_SUPER_COOL_FEATURES_HPP

polymorphism/include/polymorphism/i_super_cool_features.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#ifndef POLYMORPHISM_I_SUPER_COOL_FEATURES_HPP
+#define POLYMORPHISM_I_SUPER_COOL_FEATURES_HPP
+
+#include <string>
+
+namespace classic {
+
+/// @brief A typical interface definition via a class with pure virtual functions/methods.
+///
+/// This interface demonstrates classic polymorphism in C++.
+///
+/// @details
+/// - coolFeature(): Returns a string representing some cool feature.
+/// - set(std::string s): Sets some internal state of the implementing class.
+class ISuperCoolFeatures {
+public:
+    [[nodiscard]] virtual std::string coolFeature() const = 0; // Pure virtual function
+    virtual void set(std::string s) = 0; // Pure virtual function
+    virtual ~ISuperCoolFeatures() = default; // Virtual destructor
+};
+
+} // namespace classic
+
+#endif // POLYMORPHISM_I_SUPER_COOL_FEATURES_HPP

polymorphism/include/polymorphism/impl_with_interface.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+#ifndef POLYMORPHISM_IMPL_WITH_INTERFACE_HPP
+#define POLYMORPHISM_IMPL_WITH_INTERFACE_HPP
+
+// make the inteface defintion visible
+#include <polymorphism/i_super_cool_features.hpp>
+
+#include <string>
+
+namespace classic {
+
+class Impl
+    : public ISuperCoolFeatures {
+private:
+    std::string s_ { "<default value>" }; // with default member initializer (C++11)
+
+public:
+    std::string coolFeature() const noexcept override { return s_; }
+    void set(std::string s) noexcept override
+    {
+        s_ = std::move(s);
+    }
+};
+
+} // namespace classic
+
+#endif // POLYMORPHISM_IMPL_WITH_INTERFACE_HPP