Arrays and ArrayLists are polymorphic
We already know that we can put objects into arrays and ArrayList
. But being polymorphic means they can handle objects of multiple distinct types as long as they have a common parent type all within the same array or ArrayList
.
In Chapter 8, Object-Oriented Programming we learned that polymorphism approximately means different forms. But what does it mean to us in the context of arrays and ArrayList
?
Boiled down to its simplest: any subclass can be used as part of the code that uses the superclass.
For example, if we have an array of Animals
we could put any object that is a type that is a subclass of Animal
, in the Animal
array. Perhaps Cats
and Dogs
.
This means we can write code that is simpler and easier ...
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