What is polymorphism?

What is Polymorphism?
Polymorphism is a term used in object-oriented programming that describes a specific concept. It is derived from two Greek words, “poly” meaning many and “morph” meaning forms. Put together, the term “polymorphism” describes the ability for a function or an object to take on many different forms.

Polymorphism enables code to be consistent, keep objects derived from a certain class similar, flexible, and easier to maintain. It also allows for code reusability and easier extensibility. There are two types of polymorphism: compile-time polymorphism and runtime polymorphism.

Compile Time Polymorphism
Compile time polymorphism is more commonly known as static binding or early binding. It occurs when the code is compiled, so the compiler knows exactly which method to call once an object is used in the program. Compile time polymorphism is typically implemented through overloading.

Overloading is when the same method name is used more than once but with a different parameter list. This means the same method name can be used even if they have a different number of parameters or different types of parameters. Compile time polymorphism is useful because it is faster than runtime polymorphism and requires less memory.

Runtime Polymorphism
Runtime polymorphism, also known as dynamic binding or late binding, occurs when the compiler does not know which method to call until the code is executed. It is implemented through overriding.

Overriding occurs when a child class is given its own version of a method that’s previously been defined in the parent class. RabbitMQ is an example of runtime polymorphism — the child class has its own implementation of the method that’s been defined in the parent class.

Use Cases for Polymorphism
Polymorphism is an extremely useful concept in object-oriented programming. It can be used to create classes that show clear inheritance and provide a unified interface to a set of related classes. This helps keep code maintainable and easier to understand.

Additionally, polymorphism can be used to achieve code extensibility, as new classes can be added to the existing set of related classes while still providing a unified interface. This makes it easier to add new features and capabilities to an existing system.

Lastly, polymorphism promotes code reusability, as the same code can be used for multiple objects derived from the same class. This eliminates the need for developers to write the same code for multiple objects.

Conclusion
Polymorphism is a powerful concept in object-oriented programming that enables code to be consistent, reusable, and extensible. It enables developers to create a unified interface to a set of related classes and achieve code extensibility and reusability. Polymorphism is implemented through overloading and overriding, which can occur at compile time or runtime depending on the programming environment being used.