To add one note on this ( I agree the earlier Cat / Dog example was educations ) - Bruce Eckel's book "Thinking in Java" has the best explanation of Polymorphism / Overloading / Overriding I'v read. He has a clarity and writing style in this area that is truly unique.
http://www.mindview.net/Books/TIJ/ --------------------------------------- Considering the Certified Java Programmer Exam? Get JCertify 5.0! http://www.enterprisedeveloper.com/jcertify The best investment in your career you will make all year --- David Rosenstrauch <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > At 12:05 PM 5/30/2002 +0530, you wrote: > >Hello all, > > > > Could any body of you explain me with an > example what is meant by Polymorphism.....I went > through many sites,,but it is bit confusing and not > clear... > > > >Thanks and regards, > > > >Santosh > > > > take a look at this: > > > public class > Animal { > public void makeNoise() { > System.out.println("what am I > supposed to say?"); > } > } > > public class > Dog extends Animal { > public void makeNoise() { > System.out.println("woof"); > } > } > > public class > Cat extends Animal { > public void makeNoise() { > System.out.println("meow"); > } > } > > public class > AnimalTest() { > public static void > main(String[] args) { > Animal > a1 = new Dog(), > a2 = new Cat(); > a1.makeNoise(); > a2.makeNoise(); > } > } > > > The output, obviously is: > > woof > meow > > This is polymorphism in action. > > You have 2 Animal references (a1 & a2). But the > behavior of these objects depends not on the > declared type of the references (Animal), but upon > the actual type of the objects (Dog and Cat). > > That's polymorphism. So in a nutshell, polymorphism > basically means that objects of the same > interface/type exhibit different behavior depending > on their actual subclass type. > > HTH. > > > DR > > > To change your membership options, refer to: > http://www.sys-con.com/java/list.cfm __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com To change your membership options, refer to: http://www.sys-con.com/java/list.cfm
