What is polymorphism in Python?

What is polymorphism in Python?

Polymorphism in Python allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. It enables methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon.

Can you give me an example of polymorphism?

Sure! For instance, if you have a base class Animal with a method speak(), subclasses like Dog and Cat can implement speak() differently. When you call speak() on an Animal reference, it will execute the appropriate method based on the actual object type.

How does polymorphism improve code flexibility?

Polymorphism improves code flexibility by allowing you to write more generic and reusable code. You can use the same interface to interact with different objects, making it easier to extend and maintain your code.

Are there any drawbacks to using polymorphism?

One drawback is that it can lead to less readable code if overused, as it may become unclear which method is being called. Additionally, it can introduce performance overhead due to dynamic method resolution.