Day 23: Python Polymorphism

Understanding Polymorphism in Python

Polymorphism is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming that allows you to use the same interface for different underlying forms or data types. In Python, polymorphism enables us to define methods in the child class with the same name as defined in their parent class. As the name suggests, a child class inherits methods and attributes from the parent class. However, it is free to override the methods according to its requirements.

In essence, polymorphism grants the ability to use a single type entity (method, operator or object) to represent different types in different scenarios. It's the characteristic of an entity to behave in multiple forms.

Implementing Polymorphism through Inheritance and Overriding

In Python, we can achieve polymorphism using inheritance and method overriding. We define a superclass with a method that we want to override in the subclass. Then, we define the subclass that inherits from the superclass and override the method with a new implementation.

For instance, consider an Animal class with a make_sound method. This method is then overridden in the Dog and Cat subclasses. When you create an instance of the Dog class, it will make a "Woof!" sound, and when you create an instance of the Cat class, it will make a "Meow!" sound.

class Animal:
    def make_sound(self):
        print("Some generic animal sound")

class Dog(Animal):
    def make_sound(self):
        print("Woof!")

class Cat(Animal):
    def make_sound(self):
        print("Meow!")

animals = [Dog(), Cat()]
for animal in animals:
    animal.make_sound()

# Output: "Woof!" "Meow!"

In the above code, Dog and Cat classes override the make_sound method of the Animal class. Hence, when we iterate over the animals list and call make_sound, the respective class's method is invoked, demonstrating polymorphism.

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