Python Polymorphism

← Back to Home

 

🐍 Understanding Python Polymorphism: A Simple Guide

📘 What is Polymorphism?

Polymorphism means "many forms." In programming, it refers to the ability of different objects to respond to the same method or function call in their own unique ways.

Think of the word "draw." An artist, an architect, and a child may all “draw,” but what they produce is completely different. That’s polymorphism in real life.

In Python, polymorphism allows us to write flexible and reusable code. It’s a core concept of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).

---

🔧 Why Use Polymorphism?

• Code Reusability – Write code that works on multiple types.

• Flexibility – Add new classes without changing existing code.

• Simplicity – Handle objects in a general way, reducing complexity.

---

🧪 Types of Polymorphism in Python

1. Duck Typing

2. Method Overriding

3. Operator Overloading

---

1. 🦆 Duck Typing

"If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck."

Python doesn’t check the type of an object. It checks whether the object behaves the way it should.

class Dog:
    def speak(self):
        return "Woof!"

class Cat:
    def speak(self):
        return "Meow!"

def make_sound(animal):
    print(animal.speak())

make_sound(Dog())  # Woof!
make_sound(Cat())  # Meow!

Even though Dog and Cat are unrelated, they can both be used in make_sound because they implement the same method.

---

2. 🔄 Method Overriding

Occurs when a child class defines a method that already exists in its parent class.

class Vehicle:
    def start(self):
        print("Starting vehicle...")

class Car(Vehicle):
    def start(self):
        print("Starting car engine...")

v = Vehicle()
v.start()  # Starting vehicle...

c = Car()
c.start()  # Starting car engine...

The start method behaves differently depending on the object.

---

3. ➕ Operator Overloading

Python allows us to change the meaning of operators depending on the objects they are used with.

class Book:
    def __init__(self, pages):
        self.pages = pages

    def __add__(self, other):
        return Book(self.pages + other.pages)

book1 = Book(100)
book2 = Book(150)
total = book1 + book2
print(total.pages)  # 250

Here, the + operator adds the number of pages, not the objects themselves.

---

✅ Key Takeaways

• Polymorphism lets you write general-purpose code that works on different types of objects.

• It's essential for building scalable, maintainable, and DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) code.

• Python supports polymorphism through duck typing, inheritance, and special methods like __add__.

---

🧠 Final Thought

Polymorphism in Python isn't just a fancy concept — it's a practical tool that makes your code cleaner, smarter, and more adaptable. Whether you’re a student writing your first OOP project or a professional building systems at scale, understanding polymorphism can level up your coding game.

← Previous Next →