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From: freek@fwi.uva.nl (Freek Wiedijk)
Newsgroups: comp.compilers
Subject: Re: Defining polymorphism vs. overloading
Keywords: polymorphism, design
Message-ID: <1250@carol.fwi.uva.nl>
Date: 10 Sep 90 14:39:25 GMT
References: <9008310419.AA06194@karakorum.berkeley.edu> <2509@l.cc.purdue.edu> <3709@goanna.cs.rmit.oz.au>
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ok@goanna.cs.rmit.OZ.AU (Richard A. O'Keefe) writes:
>Let me summarise that:
>	DIFFERENT code for different types => OVERLOADING
>	     SAME code for different types => POLYMORPHISM

And what if the only difference in the code is that two different instances of
an overloaded function are being called?  Is this an instance of overloading
(the code is "really" different, because two different functions are being
called), or is this an instance of polymorphism (the code "looks the same")?

In other words, is the property of being overloading "inherited" by all
functions that make use of an overloaded function?  Or, can overloading
"evaporate" to polymorphism.

Freek "the Pistol Major" Wiedijk                      E-mail: freek@fwi.uva.nl
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