Polymorphism In C# With Real Life Example

Polymorphism

Polymorphism is a way in which we can define multiple functions in a single name i.e. single name and multiple meaning.

Single name & multiple meaning

Polymorphism means assigning a single name but there can be multiple behaviors. It means the name of the function is same but its definitions are different.

Polymorphism means single name & multiple meaning & whenever we try to access that particular name there must be a binding between that call & between that function. So there are two types of binding to call that function.

Compile time binding
Run time binding

Compile Time Polymorphism

In case of this Polymorphism, function call & its definition bind at compile time.

There are two ways to achieve this Polymorphism:

Function Overloading
Operator Overloading

Run Time Polymorphism

In case of this Polymorphism, function call & its definition bind at run time. We can achieve this type of Polymorphism using Virtual concept. This type of Polymorphism is also called Late Binding.

Real life example

Suppose in this week I have to go to Mumbai for C#Corner Mumbai Chapter Meet on Nov 14, 2015. I have total 2 mobile numbers of cab drivers. So out of that, I called Sachin & told him we have to go Mumbai on Nov 14, at 5.00 AM. He told that he will come on sharply at 5.00 AM & will go. So, for this week I will come & attend the seminar.

Real life example

Now in the next month, I have to go to Delhi. So again I called Sachin & asked him whether he is free or not. He told me that he is having another tour so he is not free in the coming month. He gave me his associate office contact number & told that you can call them they will arrange another cab for you. So I called their office & told them the date time & my house address for pick up. The call attendee (office receptionist boy) asked me which cab do you need, he told different rates as per the cab facilities, such AC, Non-AC. After taking complete information from me he told that our drive will come on time at your home.

Real life example

In the first situation, I know that Sachin will definitely come i.e. Compile Time Binding. In second situation, I don’t know who will come (I don’t know the name of THE person) i.e. Run Time Binding.

Function Overloading

Function overloading means writing a function with the same name, but different definitions. Whenever we call this function we can call by using the same name.

Example

Simple function overloading example:

class Program
{
void show_method(int a, int b)
{
Console.WriteLine("addition of 2 numbers : " + a + b);
}
void show_method(string str1, string str2)
{
Console.WriteLine("addition of 2 numbers : " + str1 + str2);
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Program obj = new Program();
obj.show_method(10, 20);
obj.show_method("Rupesh ", "Kahane");
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

Output

output

Example

We can’t overload a function with the help of default argument.

class Rules
{
void gun(int k)
{
// code
}
void gun(int k = 20)
{
// code
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Rules obj = new Rules();
obj.gun(10);
}
}

Example:

We can’t overload a function with the help of different return type & same parameter list.

Class Rules
{
// can not possible with its different return type & same parameter list
int fun(int a, int b)
{
return a + b;
}
// can not possible with its different return type & same parameter list
float fun(int x, int y)
{
return x + y;
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Rules obj = new Rules();
obj.fun(10, 20);
obj.fun(20, 30);
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

Example

We can’t pass constant value directly to function:

class Qulifiers
{
// co not pass constant value directly to function
void fun(const int i)
{
// code
}
void fun(int i)
{
// code
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Qulifiers obj = new Qulifiers();
obj.fun(20);
obj.fun(40);
}
}

Roles of params parameters in Polymorphism

Pass by value
Pass by reference
As an output parameter
Using parameter arrays

Example Pass by reference

class Roles_of_Parameters
{
private string name = "Rupesh";
public void Display_name()
{
Display_name(ref name);
Console.WriteLine(name);
}
public void Display_name(ref string x)
{
Console.WriteLine(name);
name = "Rupesh Kahane";
Console.WriteLine(name);
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Roles_of_Parameters obj = new Roles_of_Parameters();
obj.Display_name();
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

Output

output

Example Using Parameter Array

class Role_of_parameter_Using_Array
{
private string str = "The Sun Infosystems";
public void Display()
{
Console.WriteLine("You are in Display method");
Display(100, "Rupesh");
Console.WriteLine("------");
Display(200, "Rupesh", "Ajit");
Console.WriteLine("------");
Display(300, "Rupesh", "Vaibhav", "Sam");
}
public void Display(int a, params string[] parameterArray)
{
foreach(string str in parameterArray)
Console.WriteLine(str + " " + a);
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Role_of_parameter_Using_Array obj = new Role_of_parameter_Using_Array();
obj.Display();
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

Output

output

Interview Questions

Can we use two dimensional array or multidimensional array as a parameter?

Function Redefinition
1. class Function_Redefinition
2. {
3. void fun(int i)
4. {
5. // code
6. }
7. }
8. class Derived_red_fun: Function_Redefinition
9. {
10. void fun(int i, int j)
11. {
12. // code
13. }
14. }
15. // in above example it is not a function overloading it is redefinition of function in derived class.

Run Time Polymorphism

Example

class Virtual_Example
{
public class Base
{
public virtual void show()
{
Console.WriteLine("You are in base class");
}
}
public class Derived: Base
{
public override void show()
{
Console.WriteLine("You are in derived class");
}
}
static void Main(string[] args)
{
Base obj1 = new Base();
obj1.show();
Derived obj = new Derived();
obj.show();
Console.ReadLine();
}
}

Output

For more understanding you can download the code

Summary

This article will help fresher candidates to understand Polymorphism in C# with real life example.

26 Comments

Join the conversation! Your thoughts help the community grow.

Rupesh Kahane10y ago
thanks a lot Nilesh Dhande
Nilesh Dhande10y ago
Very easy to understand.nice rupesh
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks kalu singh rao
kalu singh rao10y ago
Great one
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks sreenivasa k
sreenivasa k10y ago
nice example
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks Ajay Kadamj
Ajay Kadam10y ago
great simple and excellent keep it up..
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks to Sibeesh Venu & Santhakumar Munuswamy also
Santhakumar Munuswamy10y ago
Good one
Sibeesh Venu10y ago
Nice share
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Vincent Maverick Durano thanks a lot for your great suggestion
Vincent Maverick Durano10y ago
great job! One thing you got a typo on your taxi image. I suppose it should be "Hello Rupesh I will be there" :)
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks Davis Sylvester
Davis Sylvester10y ago
Nice tutorial
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks to Humayun Kabir Mamun and Mukesh Kumar
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Ajay Gandhi thanks
Humayun Kabir Mamun10y ago
Nice...
Mukesh Kumar10y ago
Good Job
Ajay Gandhi10y ago
Nice
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks Talha Bin Afzal
Talha Bin Afzal10y ago
Great Explanation
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
thanks Gowtham K
Gowtham K10y ago
Good one
Rupesh Kahane10y ago
Thanks Rajeesh Menoth
Rajeesh Menoth10y ago
Good Explanation!