Is this polymorphism (C++ / Procedural way of programming)?

Question

I wonder if this is an example of polymorphism in c++. I checked examples in OOP but I didn't find any in pure procedural way of programming. Thank you in advance for your answers!

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int return_value(int a) {
return 5;
}
char return_value(char b) {
return 'a';
}
int main() {
    int a = 1;
    char b = 'c';
    cout << return_value(a);
    cout << return_value(b);
    return 0;
}

That isn't polymorphism; it's *overloading*. There is an entire web of examples of polymorphism out there; all it takes is looking. — WhozCraig, Jun 01 '18 at 06:11
I found a lot of examples of course... But I didn't know if my example is example of polymorphism... Based on the explanation (one of many) that one function can have many shapes... It could be... — XraySensei, Jun 01 '18 at 06:14

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:28

Polymorphism means one name many forms. In that sense even the function overloading is a kind of polymorphism, as same name provides you different functionalities.

Some categorize polymorphism as Compile-time polymorphism & Run-time polymorphism. The function overloading then is a case of Compile-time polymorphism. The virtual functions are example of runtime polymorphism.

So yes, your code is an example of compile-time polymorphism.

For more details on differences between runtime and compile-time polymorphism, See What is the difference between dynamic and static polymorphism in Java?

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:12

0

That's just an overloaded function, it could be considered polymorphism in some way. But, here you can find something more about polymorphism:

Polymorphism in c++

answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:12

Federico

743
9
22

Thank you! Based on the article you've suggested I can assume that the answer on my question is YES =) – XraySensei Jun 01 '18 at 06:17

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:16

0

It's not a polymorphism, here you may found polymorphism and its variations .

answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:16

Kartik Maheshwari

357
2
11

@JanezMurn Overloading means creating methods with same name but different parameters. Overriding means re-defining body of a method of superclass in a subclass to change behavior of a method. Polymorphism is a wide concept which includes overriding and overloading and much more in it's scope. [see here](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12893907/are-polymorphism-overloading-and-overriding-similar-concepts) – Kartik Maheshwari Jun 01 '18 at 06:26

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:53

0

This could be considered as compile time polymorphic. An example for run time polymorphism is using virtual functions in base class and override those functions in the extended class.

answered Jun 01 '18 at 06:53

Destructor

523
1
3
13

Is this polymorphism (C++ / Procedural way of programming)?

4 Answers4