Polymorphism
Polymorphism allows different classes to be treated as instances of the same class through a common interface. Python achieves polymorphism through duck typing ("if it walks like a duck..."), method overriding, and operator overloading.
Duck Typing
An object's suitability is determined by the presence of methods/attributes, not its type.
class Duck:
def sound(self):
return "Quack"
class Dog:
def sound(self):
return "Woof"
def make_sound(animal):
print(animal.sound())
make_sound(Duck()) # Quack
make_sound(Dog()) # Woof
Method Overriding
Subclasses can provide their own implementation of a parent method. This is a form of polymorphism.
Operator Overloading
Python allows you to define how operators (+, -, etc.) work with your objects using magic methods (e.g., `__add__`).
class Point:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
def __add__(self, other):
return Point(self.x + other.x, self.y + other.y)
Two Minute Drill
- Polymorphism allows using objects of different types through a common interface.
- Duck typing focuses on what an object can do, not its class.
- Method overriding is a key OOP feature for polymorphic behavior.
- Operator overloading uses special methods like `__add__`.
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