C++ simple polymorphism issue -

ok admit it, i'm total c++ noob.

i checking book data structures , algorithms in c++ adam drozdek, in section 1.5 : "polymorphism" proposes next example:

class class1 { public:     virtual void f()     {         cout << "function f() in class1" << endl;     }      void g()     {         cout << "function g() in class1" << endl;     } };  class class2 { public:     virtual void f()     {         cout << "function f() in class2" << endl;     }      void g()     {         cout << "function g() in class2" << endl;     } };  class class3 { public:     virtual void  h()     {         cout << "function h() in class3" << endl;     } };  int main() {     class1 object1, *p;     class2 object2;     class3 object3;      p = &object1;      p->f();     p->g();      p = (class1*)&object2;     p->f();     p->g();      p = (class1*)&object3;     p->f();    // abnormal program termination should occur here since there                 // no f() method  in object3, instead object3->h() called     p->g();     //p->h();   h() not member of class1      return 0; } 

i compiled using visual studio 2010, , 2 things happened:

1. first there no "abnormal termination" in line p->f()
2. the method h() of object3 called in line "abnormal termination" should occur.

the output of programs is:

function f() in class1 function g() in class1 function f() in class2 function g() in class1 function h() in class3 function g() in class1

i´m trying understand why happens, seems strange me.

any great.

thanks in advance!

if that's code book uses, throw book in trash immediately. polymorphism works on inheritance, such as

class class2 : public class1 

without that, there no hope of correct program.

the author appears try , circumvent requirement (i.e., incorrect program compile) using

p = (class1*)&object2; 

this c-style cast, , interpreted c++

p = reinterpret_cast< class1 * >( &object2 ); 

reinterpret_cast dangerous operator, , should never used between 2 polymorphic types. should used:

// use if dynamic type of object2 same static type: p = static_cast< class1 * >( &object2 ); // not compile unless add : public class1 

or

// returns null if object2 dynamic type not derived class1 p = dynamic_cast< class1 * >( &object2 ); 

as "abnormal termination", think author describing how code crashed on machine. however, that's not because language says should. wrote incorrect program, may crash on machines not others.