of the situation. Consider a stack (which is a last-in, first-out list). You might have a program
that requires three types of stacks. One stack is used for integer values, one for floating-point
values, and one for characters. The algorithm that implements each stack is the same, even
though the data being stored differs. In a nonobject-oriented language, you would be
required to create three different sets of stack routines, with each set using different names.
However, because of polymorphism, in Java you can specify a general set of stack routines
that all share the same names.
More generally, the concept of polymorphism is often expressed by the phrase "one
interface, multiple methods." This means that it is possible to design a generic interface to
a group of related activities. This helps reduce complexity by allowing the same interface
to be used to specify a general class of action. It is the compiler 's job to select the specific action
(that is, method) as it applies to each situation. You, the programmer, do not need to make
this selection manually. You need only remember and utilize the general interface.
Extending the dog analogy, a dog's sense of smell is polymorphic. If the dog smells a cat,
it will bark and run after it. If the dog smells its food, it will salivate and run to its bowl.
The same sense of smell is at work in both situations. The difference is what is being smelled,
that is, the type of data being operated upon by the dog's nose! This same general concept
can be implemented in Java as it applies to methods within a Java program.
Polymorphism, Encapsulation, and Inheritance Work Together
When properly applied, polymorphism, encapsulation, and inheritance combine to produce
a programming environment that supports the development of far more robust and scalable
programs than does the process-oriented model. A well-designed hierarchy of classes is the
basis for reusing the code in which you have invested time and effort developing and testing.
Encapsulation allows you to migrate your implementations over time without breaking the
code that depends on the public interface of your classes. Polymorphism allows you to create
clean, sensible, readable, and resilient code.
Of the two real-world examples, the automobile more completely illustrates the power
of object-oriented design. Dogs are fun to think about from an inheritance standpoint, but
cars are more like programs. All drivers rely on inheritance to drive different types (subclasses)
of vehicles. Whether the vehicle is a school bus, a Mercedes sedan, a Porsche, or the family
minivan, drivers can all more or less find and operate the steering wheel, the brakes, and
the accelerator. After a bit of gear grinding, most people can even manage the difference
between a stick shift and an automatic, because they fundamentally understand their common
superclass, the transmission.
People interface with encapsulated features on cars all the time. The brake and gas pedals
hide an incredible array of complexity with an interface so simple you can operate them
with your feet! The implementation of the engine, the style of brakes, and the size of the
tires have no effect on how you interface with the class definition of the pedals.
The final attribute, polymorphism, is clearly reflected in the ability of car manufacturers
to offer a wide array of options on basically the same vehicle. For example, you can get an
antilock braking system or traditional brakes, power or rack-and-pinion steering, and 4-, 6-,
or 8-cylinder engines. Either way, you will still press the brake pedal to stop, turn the steering
wheel to change direction, and press the accelerator when you want to move. The same
interface can be used to control a number of different implementations.
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