Polymorphism

A function that specifies a base-class object in its parameter list will accept a derived-class object.
- This works because the derived-class object IS_A base-class object.
If the function parameter passes the base-class object by reference, then the derived-class object is considered to be an object of the derived class.
- This is called polymorphism.
If a function parameter passes the base-class object by value, then the derived-class object is considered to be an object of the base class.
- This happens because a base-class constructor was used to create the local object.
- The local object loses its derived-class data members and functions.

This page was last modified on Mar 12, 2001

URL: http://people.hsc.edu/faculty-staff/robbk/Coms262/Lectures/Polymorphism.html