Table of Contents
Introduction to Polymorphism
Polymorphism is a feature of some object-oriented programming languages that allows a single variable or method to be used with many different types of objects. This allows the programmer to write code that is more general, and therefore more reusable.
Polymorphism: An Overview
- Polymorphism is a programming concept that allows objects to be treated in different ways depending on their type. In C++, polymorphism is typically implemented using a technique called virtual functions.
- Virtual functions allow a program to call a single function name, but have the function behave differently depending on the type of object that is calling it. For example, a program might have a function called print() that prints the contents of a variable. If the program has a variable of type int, the print() function will print the value of the int variable. But if the program has a variable of type string, the print() function will print the contents of the string variable.
- Polymorphism is often used to create object-oriented programming (OOP) classes. In OOP, a class is a template for creating objects. The class defines the properties and behaviors of the objects that are created from it. polymorphism allows a program to call a single function to print the contents of an object, regardless of the type of object. This makes it easier for a programmer to write code that can work with a variety of different object types.
Which Properties can Differ Due to Polymorphism?
There are a few key properties that can differ due to polymorphism. The first is the type of the object, which can change depending on the implementation of the polymorphic function. The second is the value of the object, which can also change depending on the implementation of the polymorphic function. Finally, the behavior of the object can also change, depending on the implementation of the polymorphic function.
Types of Polymorphism
There are three main types of polymorphism:
1. Static polymorphism
2. Dynamic polymorphism
3. Virtual polymorphism
- Static polymorphism is a form of polymorphism that is resolved at compile time. This type of polymorphism is achieved through the use of static type members or variables.
- Dynamic polymorphism is a form of polymorphism that is resolved at runtime. This type of polymorphism is achieved through the use of virtual methods.
- Virtual polymorphism is a type of polymorphism that is achieved through the use of virtual methods. This type of polymorphism is the most common type of polymorphism and is typically used in object-oriented programming languages.
Relationship Between Polymorphs and Solvates
The relationship between polymorphs and solvates is that a solvate is a polymorph that is in contact with a solvent.
Application of Polymorphism
Polymorphism is used in many different ways. A few examples are:
1. In object-oriented programming, polymorphism is used to allow different objects to respond to the same message. This allows a single message to be sent to a group of objects, and each object will respond in a different way.
2. In biology, polymorphism is used to describe different forms of a species. For example, there are different types of snowflakes because they are all made up of the same material, but they have different shapes because of the way the water molecules are arranged.
3. In chemistry, polymorphism is used to describe different forms of a molecule. For example, ice is a polymorph of water because it has a different structure than liquid water or water vapor.
Polymorphism in Pharmacy
There are many types of polymorphism that can occur in pharmacy. One type of polymorphism is an allomorph, which is a variant form of a morpheme. In pharmacy, allomorphs can occur when a drug is administered in different ways. For example, a drug may be administered orally, intravenously, or topically. Each of these administrations may result in a different form of the drug being present in the body. This can lead to different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties for the drug, which can ultimately affect its efficacy and safety.
The Peculiar Case of Ritonavir
- In recent years, ritonavir has become a popular drug for the treatment of HIV infection. It is a protease inhibitor, meaning that it blocks the action of a viral enzyme that is required for the virus to replicate.
- Ritonavir is also used in combination with other HIV drugs to lower the dose of those drugs required, and to help them stay in the body longer. This so-called “drug boosting” effect is due to the ability of ritonavir to inhibit the metabolism of other drugs, allowing them to remain in the body for a longer time.
- Despite its many benefits, ritonavir has one major drawback. It is a very potent drug, and can cause serious adverse effects in some people. In particular, it can cause dangerously high levels of liver enzymes, a condition known as hepatotoxicity.
- As a result, people who take ritonavir must be carefully monitored by their doctor, and liver enzyme levels must be regularly checked.
