What are the best practices for using polymorphism in programming?

What are the best practices for using polymorphism in programming?

Polymorphism allows objects to be treated as instances of their parent class. Best practices include using interfaces, keeping methods concise, and ensuring clear documentation.

Can you give an example of polymorphism in action?

Sure! Consider a base class Animal with a method makeSound(). Subclasses like Dog and Cat can implement makeSound() differently, allowing for polymorphic behavior.

How does polymorphism improve code maintainability?

Polymorphism enhances maintainability by allowing you to add new classes with minimal changes to existing code, promoting code reuse and reducing errors.

Are there any common pitfalls to avoid with polymorphism?

Yes, common pitfalls include overusing polymorphism, which can lead to complex code, and not adhering to the Liskov Substitution Principle, which can cause unexpected behavior.