What is polymorphism in Java and how does it work?

What is polymorphism in Java and how does it work?

Polymorphism in Java allows methods to do different things based on the object that it is acting upon. It can be achieved through method overriding and method overloading.

Can you explain method overriding with an example?

Sure! Method overriding occurs when a subclass provides a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. For example, if you have a class Animal with a method makeSound(), a subclass Dog can override this method to bark.

What about method overloading? How is it different?

Method overloading allows multiple methods in the same class to have the same name but different parameters. For instance, you could have a method add(int a, int b) and another add(double a, double b).

How does polymorphism improve code flexibility?

Polymorphism enhances code flexibility by allowing you to write more generic and reusable code. You can use a single interface or superclass reference to refer to objects of different subclasses, making it easier to extend and maintain your code.