C++ 私有继承 VS Composition

private inheritance is a syntactic variant of composition (AKA aggregation and/or has-a).

 

class Engine {
 public:
   Engine(int numCylinders);
   void start();                  // Starts this Engine
 };
 
 class Car {
 public:
   Car() : e_(8) { }              // Initializes this Car  with 8 cylinders
   void start() { e_.start(); }   // Start this Car  by starting its Engine
 private:
   Engine e_;                     // Car  has-a Engine
 };

 

class Car : private Engine {     // Car  has-a Engine
 public:
   Car() : Engine(8) { }          // Initializes this Car  with 8 cylinders
   using Engine::start;           // Start this Car  by starting its Engine
 };

 

到底什么时候使用私有继承，什么时候组合？

Use composition when you can, and use private inheritance when you have to.

 

我在MITK的源码里看到大量使用Private Inheritance。故有此疑问。