Object-Oriented Programming, unit: Polymorphism. Core concepts, terminology, and worked-example cues a college student meets for this unit, building on prior units without repeating them. Front: a term, concept, or short problem cue. Back: the definition, explanation, or answer.
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- What is polymorphism?
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The ability of different object types to be treated through a common interface, with type-specific behavior- What is compile-time (static) polymorphism?
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Polymorphism resolved during compilation, typically through method overloading- What is runtime (dynamic) polymorphism?
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Polymorphism resolved during program execution, typically through method overriding- What is dynamic dispatch?
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The runtime process of determining which overridden method implementation to call- How does polymorphism improve code flexibility?
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Code can work with objects of different types through a shared interface, without needing to know their specific type- What is an example of polymorphism using a shared superclass?
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Calling a 'speak' method on different Animal subclasses, each producing different behavior- What is parametric polymorphism (generics)?
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Writing code that works across multiple data types using type parameters- What is duck typing?
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A style of polymorphism where an object's suitability is determined by its methods, not its declared type- What is the benefit of using polymorphism with collections?
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A single collection can hold different subclass objects and be processed uniformly- What is an interface's role in enabling polymorphism?
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Defining a common contract that multiple unrelated classes can implement differently- What is upcasting, in the context of polymorphism?
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Treating a subclass object as an instance of its superclass or interface type- What is downcasting?
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Converting a superclass or interface reference back into its specific subclass type- Why can downcasting be risky?
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It can fail at runtime if the object is not actually an instance of the target subclass- What is late binding?
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Deferring the decision of which method implementation to run until runtime- What is subtype polymorphism?
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The ability to use a subclass object wherever its superclass or implemented interface type is expected.
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