Dynamic Dispatch

Dynamic dispatch is a programming concept that refers to the process of selecting the appropriate implementation of a method or function based on the runtime type of an object. In object-oriented programming languages, dynamic dispatch is used to allow a program to select the most appropriate method or function to be executed based on the runtime type of an object, rather than the static type of a variable.

One advantage of dynamic dispatch is that it allows for more flexible and extensible code, as new classes can be added to a program without needing to modify existing code. Dynamic dispatch also allows for more efficient and optimized code, as the appropriate method or function can be selected at runtime based on the actual type of the object.

However, one disadvantage of dynamic dispatch is that it can add additional overhead to a program, as the appropriate method or function must be selected at runtime rather than at compile-time. This can result in slower performance in some cases, particularly in performance-critical applications.

To illustrate some key concepts of dynamic dispatch, consider the following example:

Example: A program is designed to work with various shapes, including circles, rectangles, and triangles. Each shape has a different method for calculating its area.

Using dynamic dispatch, the program can select the appropriate method for calculating the area of each shape based on the runtime type of the object. For example, if the program receives an object of type "Circle", it can select the appropriate method for calculating the area of a circle, rather than using a generic method that may not be as efficient or accurate.

In this way, dynamic dispatch allows for more flexible and efficient code, as new shapes can be added to the program without needing to modify existing code. The program can also take advantage of the specific properties and behaviors of each shape, rather than treating all shapes as if they were the same.

In conclusion, dynamic dispatch is a programming concept that allows a program to select the appropriate method or function to be executed based on the runtime type of an object. While dynamic dispatch allows for more flexible and extensible code, it can also add additional overhead to a program and may result in slower performance in some cases.

See Also

• IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)
• IT Governance
• Enterprise Architecture
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• IT Sourcing (Information Technology Sourcing)
• IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)
• E-Strategy