Herb's Destructor

What this C++ destructor design question tests

This is a straightforward question about modern C++ best practices for base class destructors. It targets the kind of language-knowledge depth that firms expect from candidates claiming solid C++ experience, especially those working on financial systems or performance-critical codebases where memory management is non-negotiable.

The question draws on guidance from Herb Sutter, a leading C++ standards expert, and probes whether you understand the trade-offs and correctness principles that govern how destructors should be declared in inheritance hierarchies. Getting this right is essential for writing robust polymorphic code and avoiding subtle bugs.

• Virtual versus non-virtual destructors
• Access qualifiers and their role in preventing misuse
• Polymorphic type design and resource cleanup