Polymorphism is another fundamental principle of object-oriented programming that allows an object to take on multiple forms. This principle is used to promote flexibility and code reuse. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at polymorphism and how it can be implemented in your code using a coding example.
The basic idea behind polymorphism is that an object can be treated as an instance of its class or any of its parent classes. This means that an object can be assigned to a variable of a parent class type and still retain its original behavior.
There are two main ways to implement polymorphism: method overriding and method overloading.
Method overriding allows a subclass to provide a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. For example, consider the following class hierarchy:
class Shape {
public void draw() {
System.out.println("Drawing a shape");
}
}
class Circle extends Shape {
public void draw() {
System.out.println("Drawing a circle");
}
}
In this example, the Circle class overrides the draw method of the Shape class to provide its own implementation. This allows for the Circle class to have its own unique behavior while still being treated as a Shape.
Method overloading allows a class to have multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. For example, consider the following class:
class Calculator {
public int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
public double add(double a, double b) {
return a + b;
}
}
In this example, the Calculator class has two methods with the same name add, but with different parameters. This allows for the class to handle different data types and perform the same operation but with different inputs.
Polymorphism allows for more flexible and maintainable code, as it allows for a single interface to be used to access multiple objects with different behaviors. It also promotes code reuse, as a single method can be used to handle multiple data types.
In conclusion, Polymorphism is a powerful tool in object-oriented programming that allows for flexibility and code reuse. By allowing an object to take on multiple forms, we can create more efficient and maintainable code. Understanding and implementing polymorphism is essential for any developer looking to create high-quality software using object-oriented programming.
