Java Polymorphism

Polymorphism is one of the core principles of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Java. It allows one entity (like a method or object) to take multiple forms. The term polymorphism comes from the Greek words "poly" (many) and "morph" (forms), meaning the ability to process objects differently based on their data type or class.

Types of Polymorphism in Java

Compile-Time Polymorphism (also called Static Polymorphism)

Achieved through method overloading.
The method to be called is resolved at compile time.

Example

class Calculator {

// Overloaded methods

int add(int a, int b) {

return a + b;

}

double add(double a, double b) {

return a + b;

}

int add(int a, int b, int c) {

return a + b + c;

}

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

Calculator calc = new Calculator();

System.out.println("Addition of 2 integers: " + calc.add(10, 20)); // Calls the first method

System.out.println("Addition of 2 doubles: " + calc.add(10.5, 20.5)); // Calls the second method

System.out.println("Addition of 3 integers: " + calc.add(10, 20, 30)); // Calls the third method

}

Try it yourself

Runtime Polymorphism (also called Dynamic Polymorphism)

Achieved through method overriding.
The method to be called is determined at runtime based on the actual object

Example

class Animal {

void sound() {

System.out.println("Animals make sounds.");

}

class Cat extends Animal {

void sound() {

System.out.println("Cat meows.");

}

public class Main {

public static void main(String[] args) {

Animal animal;

animal = new Cat(); // Cat object is assigned to an Animal reference

animal.sound(); // Calls Cat's overridden method

}

Try it yourself

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