What is polymorphism, what is it for, and how is it used?

Question

What is polymorphism, what is it for, and how is it used?

Answer 1

I've provided a high-level overview of polymorphism for another question:

Polymorphism in c++

Hope it helps. An extract...

...it helps to start from a simple test for it and definition of [polymorphism]. Consider the code:

Type1 x;
Type2 y;

f(x);
f(y);

Here, f() is to perform some operation and is being given the values x and y as inputs. To be polymorphic, f() must be able to operate with values of at least two distinct types (e.g. int and double), finding and executing type-appropriate code.

( continued at Polymorphism in c++ )