What are some examples of polymorphism in Java?

What are some examples of polymorphism in Java?

Polymorphism in Java allows methods to do different things based on the object that it is acting upon. For example, consider a superclass called Animal with a method makeSound(). Subclasses like Dog and Cat can override this method to provide specific sounds.

Can you show me a code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Animal {
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Animal sound");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Bark");
    }
}

class Cat extends Animal {
    void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Meow");
    }
}

public class TestPolymorphism {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal myDog = new Dog();
        Animal myCat = new Cat();
        myDog.makeSound(); // Outputs: Bark
        myCat.makeSound(); // Outputs: Meow
    }
}

This demonstrates polymorphism where the same method behaves differently based on the object.

What is the benefit of using polymorphism?

Polymorphism enhances flexibility and maintainability in code. It allows for code reusability and the ability to introduce new classes with minimal changes to existing code.

Are there different types of polymorphism?

Yes, there are two main types of polymorphism in Java: compile-time (or static) polymorphism, which is achieved through method overloading, and runtime (or dynamic) polymorphism, which is achieved through method overriding.