One Interface, Many Implementations
The concept of “One Interface, Many Implementations” is fundamental in object-oriented programming (OOP) and underpins the principle of polymorphism. It refers to the ability of different classes to implement the same interface or inherit from the same abstract class while providing their own unique implementation of the methods defined in the interface or abstract class. This approach allows objects of different types to be accessed through the same interface, enhancing flexibility and enabling the use of generic programming. This concept is crucial for designing extensible and maintainable software systems, as it allows developers to introduce new object types without altering the code that uses the interface. It facilitates the development of more abstract, high-level code that can operate on a variety of objects, thereby reducing code duplication and fostering software scalability.