Polymorphism

Polymorphism: the ability to associate many meanings to one method name.

• This is achieved through a special mechanism known as late binding.

Binding

Binding: The process of associating a method definition with a method invocation.

Early (Static) Binding: Associating a definition with its invocation at compile time.

Late (Dynamic) Binding: Associating a definition with its invocation at runtime (when its invoked).

• Java uses late bindings for all methods except for:
  • private methods
  • final methods
  • static methods