What are the differences between inheritance and polymorphism?

What are the differences between inheritance and polymorphism?

Inheritance is a mechanism where a new class derives properties and behavior from an existing class. Polymorphism allows methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon.

Can you give me an example of inheritance?

Sure! In a class hierarchy, if you have a base class called 'Animal' and a derived class called 'Dog', the 'Dog' class inherits properties like 'name' and methods like 'speak' from 'Animal'.

And how does polymorphism work in this context?

Polymorphism allows the 'speak' method to behave differently depending on the object. For example, if 'Dog' and 'Cat' both inherit from 'Animal', calling 'speak' on a 'Dog' might return 'Bark', while on a 'Cat' it returns 'Meow'.

Are there any advantages to using these concepts?

Yes, both concepts promote code reusability and flexibility. Inheritance allows for a clear structure, while polymorphism enables methods to be used interchangeably, making the code more adaptable.