Inheritance is one of the fundamental concepts in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Inheritance allows a new class to be based on an existing class, thereby inheriting the properties and functionalities of the existing class. C++ is a popular object-oriented programming language that supports inheritance. In this article, we will discuss the different types of inheritance in C++ and compare them.

Types of Inheritance in C++: C++ supports five different types of inheritance:

1. Single Inheritance: Single inheritance is a type of inheritance where a new class is derived from a single base class. In single inheritance, a derived class inherits all the properties and methods of its base class.

2. Multiple Inheritance: Multiple inheritance is a type of inheritance where a new class is derived from multiple base classes. In multiple inheritance, a derived class inherits the properties and methods of all its base classes.

3. Hierarchical Inheritance: Hierarchical inheritance is a type of inheritance where multiple classes are derived from a single base class. In hierarchical inheritance, a base class is used as a parent class for multiple derived classes.

4. Multilevel Inheritance: Multilevel inheritance is a type of inheritance where a new class is derived from a derived class. In multilevel inheritance, a class is derived from a class that is already derived from another class.

5. Hybrid Inheritance: Hybrid inheritance is a combination of multiple and multilevel inheritance. In hybrid inheritance, a class is derived from multiple base classes, and one or more of those base classes are derived from other base classes.

Comparison of Inheritance Types: Now let's compare the different types of inheritance in C++:

1. Complexity: Single inheritance is the simplest type of inheritance, followed by hierarchical inheritance and multilevel inheritance. Multiple and hybrid inheritance are the most complex types of inheritance.

2. Code Reusability: Single inheritance provides the maximum code reusability, as a derived class inherits all the properties and methods of its base class. In multiple and hierarchical inheritance, the code reusability is reduced, as some properties and methods may be inherited from multiple base classes. Hybrid inheritance provides the least code reusability, as it combines multiple and multilevel inheritance.

3. Code Maintenance: Single inheritance is the easiest to maintain, as there is only one base class to modify. In multiple and hierarchical inheritance, the code maintenance becomes more complex, as changes in one base class can affect multiple derived classes. Hybrid inheritance is the most difficult to maintain, as it combines the complexities of multiple and multilevel inheritance.

4. Program Design: Single inheritance is the most straightforward to implement and is used in many simple applications. Multiple and hierarchical inheritance are used in more complex applications, where multiple base classes are needed. Multilevel and hybrid inheritance are used in specialized applications, where inheritance needs to be combined in unique ways.