What are the benefits of polymorphism in C++?

What are the benefits of polymorphism in C++?

Polymorphism in C++ allows for methods to do different things based on the object that it is acting upon. This leads to more flexible and reusable code.

Can you give me an example of polymorphism in action?

Sure! For instance, if you have a base class Shape with a method draw(), derived classes like Circle and Square can implement their own versions of draw(). When you call draw() on a Shape pointer that points to a Circle, it will execute the Circle's draw() method.

How does polymorphism improve code maintenance?

Polymorphism improves code maintenance by allowing you to add new classes with minimal changes to existing code. You can introduce new shapes without altering the code that uses the Shape interface.

Are there any downsides to using polymorphism?

Yes, one downside is that it can introduce complexity and may lead to performance overhead due to dynamic binding. It's important to use it judiciously.