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Part 10 - Polymorphism, or Inherited Methods

Definition: Polymorphism

The ability for a new object to implement the base functionality of a parent object in a new way.

Two keywords are used to make Polymorphism happen: virtual and override.

You need to describe a method as virtual if you want the ability to override its capabilities.

Polymorphism with Rectangle and Square

Note that, because Rectangle does not have a default, parameterless constructor, we must invoke Rectangle's constructor in the first line of Square's constructor (the super(width, width) part). Once again: when calling a superclass's constructor, it must be done on the first line.

Output
24.0
25.0
25.0

Even when casted to a Rectangle, s's .GetArea() functioned like if it were a Square.

An easier example to see is this:

Simplified Polymorphism Example
Output
From Base
From Derived
From Derived

If I were to leave out the virtual and {{override} keywords,

Output w/o virtual
From Base
From Derived
From Base

This happens because unless the base method is virtual or abstract, the derived method cannot be declared as override.

Recommendation

Although you do not have to explicitly declare a method as override when inheriting from a virtual method, you should anyway, in case the signatures of the virtual and overriding methods do not match.

In order to override, the base function must be declared as virtual or abstract, have the same return type, and accept the same arguments.

Polymorphism is very handy when dealing with multiple types derived from the same base.

Another Polymorphism Example
Output w/o virtual
Woof
Meow
*Noise of a Hippo*

Very handy.

Exercises

  1. Figure out an exercise

Go on to Part 11 - Structs

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4 Comments

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  1. Oct 15, 2005

    Nicault Daniel

    Hi,

    In the source code "Polymorphism with Rectangle and Square", is it an error to redefine the Rectangle constructor with only 1 parameter for square unless the ancetor as 2 parameters constructor ?

    I think logical to make call to the super constructor in the ancestor, no ?

    With boo 0.7.0, I get an error...
    I have to rewrite the source with something like:

    class Rectangle:
    def constructor(width as single):
    pass

    def constructor(width as single, height as single):
    _width = width
    _height = height

    virtual def GetArea():
    return _width * _height

    _width as single
    _height as single

    class Carre(Rectangle):
    def constructor(width as single):
    super(width, width)
    //the GetArea() Pethod is no longer necessary

    //use the super method...
    //def GetArea():
    // return _width * _width

    r = Rectangle(4.0, 6.0)
    s = Carre(5.0)

    print r.GetArea()
    print s.GetArea()
    print cast(Rectangle, s).GetArea()
    </pre>

    Like this I think it's more correct and, It works...

  2. Oct 17, 2005

    Nicault Daniel

    Or like here with only a call to super in the new definition of constructor...

    class Square(Rectangle):
    def constructor(longueur as single):
    super(longueur, 0)

    override def GetArea():
    return _largeur * _largeur

  3. Nov 07, 2005

    Michel Casabianca

    Second example should be:

    -8<---------------------------------------------------------
    class Base:
    virtual def Execute():
    print 'From Base'

    class Derived(Base):
    override def Execute():
    print 'From Derived'

    b = Base()
    d = Derived()

    b.Execute()
    d.Execute()
    cast(Base, d).Execute()
    -8<---------------------------------------------------------

  4. Nov 07, 2005

    Michel Casabianca

    Third example should be:

    -8<-----------------------------------------------------------
    interface IAnimal:
    def MakeNoise()

    class Dog(IAnimal):
    def MakeNoise():
    print 'Woof'

    class Cat(IAnimal):
    def MakeNoise():
    print 'Meow'

    class Hippo(IAnimal):
    def MakeNoise():
    print 'Noise of a Hippo'

    list = []
    list.Add(Dog())
    list.Add(Cat())
    list.Add(Hippo())

    for animal as IAnimal in list:
    animal.MakeNoise()
    -8<-----------------------------------------------------------