5 docs tagged with "polymorphism"

C++ supports two forms of polymorphism: dynamic (runtime, using virtual functions) and static (compile-time, using templates). Each has different trade-offs.

Inheritance lets you create new classes based on existing ones, reusing code and establishing "is-a" relationships. Derived classes inherit members from base classes and can add new functionality or override existing behavior.

Object slicing occurs when you copy a derived class object to a base class object. The derived parts are "sliced off" and lost.

Type erasure hides the concrete type behind a common interface, allowing different types to be treated uniformly without inheritance. Combines the flexibility of runtime polymorphism with the performance benefits of templates.

Virtual functions enable runtime polymorphism through dynamic dispatch. Understanding how they work (vtables) helps you understand their cost and use them effectively.