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Polymorphism (computer science)
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Programming_language_theory/MfecfTFI">programming language theory</a> and <a href="/facts/Type_theory/xj0xzVqI">type theory</a>, polymorphism is the use of one symbol to represent multiple different types. </p><p>In <a href="/facts/Object-oriented_programming/TxNMEcao">object-oriented programming</a>, polymorphism is the provision of one <a href="/facts/Interface_(object-oriented_programming)/jDMpXoLN">interface</a> to entities of different <a href="/facts/Data_type/fcx5hgVL">data types</a>. The concept is borrowed from a principle in <a href="/facts/Biology/1M1ee3pB">biology</a> where an organism or species can have many different forms or stages. </p><p>The most commonly recognized major forms of polymorphism are: </p> <ul><li><i><a href="/facts/Ad_hoc_polymorphism/C15g3Bvz">Ad hoc polymorphism</a></i>: defines a common interface for an arbitrary set of individually specified types.</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Parametric_polymorphism/ETb0G1zd">Parametric polymorphism</a></i>: not specifying concrete types and instead use abstract symbols that can substitute for any type.</li> <li><i><a href="/facts/Subtyping/0L9t8twv">Subtyping</a></i> (also called <i>subtype polymorphism</i> or <i>inclusion polymorphism</i>): when a name denotes instances of many different classes related by some common superclass.</li></ul>