What is an example of polymorphism in C++?

Can you explain polymorphism in C++ with an example?

Sure! Polymorphism in C++ allows methods to do different things based on the object that it is acting upon. For example, consider a base class Shape with a method draw(), and derived classes Circle and Square that implement draw() differently.

Can you show me the code for that?

Absolutely! Here's a simple example:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

class Shape {
public:
    virtual void draw() { cout << "Drawing a shape" << endl; }
};

class Circle : public Shape {
public:
    void draw() override { cout << "Drawing a circle" << endl; }
};

class Square : public Shape {
public:
    void draw() override { cout << "Drawing a square" << endl; }
};

int main() {
    Shape* shape1 = new Circle();
    Shape* shape2 = new Square();
    shape1->draw(); // Outputs: Drawing a circle
    shape2->draw(); // Outputs: Drawing a square
    delete shape1;
    delete shape2;
    return 0;
}

This demonstrates polymorphism where the draw() method behaves differently based on the object type.

What is the purpose of using virtual functions?

Virtual functions enable polymorphism in C++. They allow derived classes to override methods of the base class, ensuring the correct method is called for an object, regardless of the type of reference or pointer used.