title: What is the difference between a child of a parent class and the derived of a base class in VB.NET or C#?
body: <p>After asking the question <em><a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13024688">Call a method that requires a derived class instance typed as base class in VB.NET or C#</a></em> on Stack Overflow, I was informed that I had used the wrong terms when asking the question. I had used "parent" and "child" where I should have used "base" and "derived" instead.</p>
  
  <p>I have been unable to find a good description of the difference.</p>
  
  <p>This is what I know (or think I know) so far:</p>
  
  <p>A parent class contains the child class. Where as a derived class inherits from a base class.</p>
  
  <p>They are similar because the child (or derived) can access the parents (or base) properties and methods (where allowed).</p>
  
  <p>They are different because you can refer to a property of the child class in the form of <code>Parent.Child.Property</code>. Whereas you cannot do that with a derived class.</p>
  
  <p>What is the difference and in what situation should one be used over the other?</p>