Polymorphism

What is Polymorphism?

Polymorphism is a programming concept that refers to the ability of a single entity (such as a variable, function, or object) to take on multiple forms. In object-oriented programming, polymorphism refers to the ability of an object to take on multiple types or to be treated as multiple types.

There are two main types of polymorphism:

1. Static polymorphism: This type of polymorphism is achieved through function overloading, which is the ability to have multiple functions with the same name but different parameter lists. This allows the same function name to be used for different purposes depending on the arguments passed to it.
2. Dynamic polymorphism: This type of polymorphism is achieved through inheritance and method overriding. In inheritance, a subclass can inherit the properties and behaviors of a superclass, and can also override (i.e., replace) certain methods of the superclass with its own implementations. This allows the subclass to be treated as if it were an instance of the superclass, while still having the ability to customize its behavior.

Polymorphism is a powerful programming concept that allows developers to write more flexible and reusable code. It can make it easier to write code that can be adapted to different scenarios and requirements and can also help to reduce complexity and improve code readability.

See Also

• Object Oriented Programming (OOP)