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Non-Virtual Interface (NVI) idiom and the design intent

Assuming that the philosophy of Non-Virtual Interface (NVI) idiom is strictly adhered I came up with a table that summarizes the design intent in terms of access modifiers and virtuality. Strict adherence of NVI allows separation of the interface of a class into two distinct interfaces: client interface (public non-virtual) and subclass interface (protected virtual/non-virtual). Such a structure helps mitigate the Fragile Base Class (FBC) Interface problem if discipline is followed. Its only downside is a little bit of code bloat. More about this approach of resolving FBC can be found here.





























  non-virtual virtual but not pure pure virtual without body pure virtual with body
Public Clients expect substitutability. Extension points are
encapsulated.  Subclasses should stay away from this if an equivalent
protected function using NVI is given.		 Clients expect substitutability. Extension points are
visible. Subclasses can optionally extend  them but assuming NVI is
place, subclasses should not reuse it.		 Substitutability is mandatory as base class itself can't be
instantiated.		 Substitutability is mandatory as base class itself can't be
instantiated. Subclasses should call the method in the base. e.g.,
destructor.
Protected For the purpose of reuse only by subclasses. An interface
for subclasses. Beware of the Fragile Base Class (FBC) interface problem.		 An optional extension point for subclasses. FBC applies
here.		 A mandatory extension point for subclasses A mandatory extension point for subclasses and it should
call the method in the base. e.g., destructor.
Private Clients as well as subclasses have to live with it. Like
final keyword in Java. Not for reuse. Top secret
of a class.		 If you happen to know the secret, it is not for (re)use but
you can risk extending it. Don't scream if the the treasure evaporates
tomorrow.		 If you happen to know the secret, it is not for (re)use but
you must risk extending it! Surprises for tomorrow if base is updated.		 Ditto as for pure virtual without body


The structure of NVI is similar to the Thread-safe Interface pattern. The purpose of public methods in thread-safe interface is to acquire lock and let the helper functions do the real job without worrying about locking. In NVI, the public non-virtual methods do a simple job of dynamic dispatching of protected virtual helper functions.

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