What are some real-world use cases of polymorphism in programming?

What are some real-world use cases of polymorphism in programming?

Polymorphism allows methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon. For example, in a graphics application, a single function can handle different shapes like circles and squares, each with its own implementation.

Can you give me more examples?

Sure! In a payment processing system, you might have a base class 'Payment' with subclasses like 'CreditCardPayment' and 'PayPalPayment'. Each subclass can implement the 'processPayment' method differently.

How does polymorphism improve code maintainability?

Polymorphism enhances maintainability by allowing you to add new classes with minimal changes to existing code. You can introduce new shapes or payment methods without altering the core logic.

Are there any drawbacks to using polymorphism?

Yes, while polymorphism offers flexibility, it can also lead to complexity in understanding the code flow, especially if overused or misused.