C++ Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic: Preface

Polymorphism and Polymorphic Functions

A polymorphic function is a function whose name is used in different ways in a program. It can be also

C++ Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic:Preface

Constructors and Destructors as Special Functions of C++

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declared virtual, if the intention is late binding. This enables it to be bound at run time. Late binding is also

referred to as dynamic binding. An advantage in declaring a function in an object as virtual is that, if the

program that uses this object calls that function only conditionally, there is no need to bind the function early,

during the compilation of the program. It will be bound only if the condition is met and the call of the function

takes place. For example, you could have a polymorphic function called draw() that is associated with

different graphical objects, like for rectangle, circle, and sphere. The details or methods of the functions are

different, but the name draw() is common. If you now have a collection of these objects and pick up an

arbitrary object without knowing exactly what it is (via a pointer, for example), you can still invoke the draw

function for the object and be assured that the right draw function will be bound to the object and called.