> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gyansetu-python.gitbook.io/python-programming/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gyansetu-python.gitbook.io/python-programming/oops/polymorphism-data-hiding.md).

# Polymorphism

**What is Polymorphism :** The word polymorphism means having many forms. In programming, polymorphism means same function name (but different signatures) being uses for different types.

 **Example of inbuilt polymorphic functions :**

```python
# Python program to demonstrate in-built poly- 
# morphic functions 
  
# len() being used for a string 
print(len("geeks")) 
  
# len() being used for a list 
print(len([10, 20, 30])) 
```

5

3

 **Examples of user defined polymorphic functions :**

```python
# A simple Python function to demonstrate  
# Polymorphism 
  
def add(x, y, z = 0):  
    return x + y+z 
  
# Driver code  
print(add(2, 3)) 
print(add(2, 3, 4))
```

5

9

 **Polymorphism with class methods:**

```python
class India(): 
    def capital(self): 
        print("New Delhi is the capital of India.") 
  
    def language(self): 
        print("Hindi is the most widely spoken language of India.") 
  
    def type(self): 
        print("India is a developing country.") 
  
class USA(): 
    def capital(self): 
        print("Washington, D.C. is the capital of USA.") 
  
    def language(self): 
        print("English is the primary language of USA.") 
  
    def type(self): 
        print("USA is a developed country.") 
  
obj_ind = India() 
obj_usa = USA() 
for country in (obj_ind, obj_usa): 
    country.capital() 
    country.language() 
    country.type() 
```

New Delhi is the capital of India. 

Hindi is the most widely spoken language of India. 

India is a developing country. 

Washington, D.C. is the capital of USA. 

English is the primary language of USA. 

USA is a developed country.

 **Polymorphism with Inheritance:**

```python
class Bird: 
  def intro(self): 
    print("There are many types of birds.") 
      
  def flight(self): 
    print("Most of the birds can fly but some cannot.") 
    
class sparrow(Bird): 
  def flight(self): 
    print("Sparrows can fly.") 
      
class ostrich(Bird): 
  def flight(self): 
    print("Ostriches cannot fly.") 
      
obj_bird = Bird() 
obj_spr = sparrow() 
obj_ost = ostrich() 
  
obj_bird.intro() 
obj_bird.flight() 
  
obj_spr.intro() 
obj_spr.flight() 
  
obj_ost.intro() 
obj_ost.flight() 
```

There are many types of birds. 

Most of the birds can fly but some cannot. 

There are many types of birds. 

Sparrows can fly. 

There are many types of birds. 

Ostriches cannot fly.

 **Polymorphism with a Function and objects:**

```python
class India(): 
    def capital(self): 
        print("New Delhi is the capital of India.") 
   
    def language(self): 
        print("Hindi is the most widely spoken language of India.") 
   
    def type(self): 
        print("India is a developing country.") 
   
class USA(): 
    def capital(self): 
        print("Washington, D.C. is the capital of USA.") 
   
    def language(self): 
        print("English is the primary language of USA.") 
   
    def type(self): 
        print("USA is a developed country.") 
  
def func(obj): 
    obj.capital() 
    obj.language() 
    obj.type() 
   
obj_ind = India() 
obj_usa = USA() 
   
func(obj_ind) 
func(obj_usa) 
```

New Delhi is the capital of India. 

Hindi is the most widely spoken language of India. 

India is a developing country. 

Washington, D.C. is the capital of USA. 

English is the primary language of USA. 

USA is a developed country.