What is use of virtual keyword in C#

The virtual keyword in C# is used to allow a method, property, or event in a base class to be overridden in a derived class. A virtual member does not have to be overridden, but if it is, the overridden version in the subclass will be executed at runtime, enabling polymorphic behavior.

✅Example Code for virtual Keyword in a Class:

class Animal
{
public virtual void MakeSound() // virtual method
{
Console.WriteLine(“Some generic animal sound”);
}
}

class Dog : Animal
{
public override void MakeSound() // override in derived class
{
Console.WriteLine(“Bark”);
}
}

Usage:

Animal a = new Dog();
a.MakeSound(); // Output: Bark

Explanation:

• The MakeSound method in Animal is marked as virtual.
• The Dog class overrides it using the override keyword.
• When calling MakeSound on an Animal reference holding a Dog object, the overridden Dog method executes at runtime.