Question

    Which of the following is the primary reason why

    polymorphism is useful in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)?
    A It allows data to be encapsulated within objects Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B It facilitates the inheritance of methods and attributes from parent classes Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C It provides a way for objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D It helps in reducing redundancy by eliminating the need for multiple constructors Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E It enables objects to be compared efficiently for equality Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    Polymorphism in OOP is primarily beneficial because it allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. This enables objects to be used interchangeably, which is useful when designing flexible and reusable code. In OOP, polymorphism is achieved through method overriding (in inheritance) or interfaces, allowing for the same method name to behave differently depending on the object type invoking it. This leads to more generic code, easier maintenance, and greater extensibility. For instance, a superclass Shape could define a method draw() . Subclasses like Circle and Square would each override the draw() method, but polymorphism allows a reference of type Shape to invoke the draw() method of either subclass without needing to know which specific subclass it is dealing with. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

    • A) While encapsulation is a core OOP principle, it is not the primary reason polymorphism is useful. Encapsulation is concerned with hiding object details and is not directly related to the dynamic behavior of polymorphism.
    • B) Inheritance is indeed a key OOP feature, but it is not polymorphism. Inheritance enables classes to inherit behavior, while polymorphism allows objects of different types to be treated uniformly.
    • D) Constructors are used for object creation, and polymorphism is about dynamic method invocation, not constructor elimination.
    • E) Object comparison (using methods like equals() ) is a different concept related to object equality rather than polymorphism.

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