Hello, learner! In today's exciting chapter, we will unravel Polymorphism, a prominent feature of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). Specifically, we will study its role in maintaining backward compatibility while introducing new features. Think of it as a software update that introduces new functions without breaking the older functionality — ingenious, isn't it?

Polymorphism, a principle derived from the Greek words 'poly' (many) and 'morphism' (forms), enables a variable or method to assume multiple roles — to embody various behaviors or functions determined by its data type or class.

Consider a class Bird with a method can_fly. If we create subclasses like Sparrow, Penguin, and Ostrich, we can override the can_fly method for certain subclasses. This demonstrates polymorphism in action.

Ruby
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1class Bird    # Superclass
2  def can_fly
3    "Unknown"
4  end
5end
6
7class Sparrow < Bird  # Subclass
8  def can_fly
9    "Yes, I can fly!"
10  end
11end
12
13class Penguin < Bird  # Subclass
14  def can_fly
15    "No, I prefer swimming."
16  end
17end
18
19birds = [Sparrow.new, Penguin.new]
20
21birds.each do |bird|
22  puts "#{bird.class} says: #{bird.can_fly}"
23end
24# Output:
25# Sparrow says: Yes, I can fly!
26# Penguin says: No, I prefer swimming.

When adding new features, which introduce new behaviors to some components, polymorphism ensures that the existing parts function as before, thereby retaining backward compatibility. In complex cases, we maintain an older version of the method in the superclass for legacy support while offering newer functionalities in subclasses.

Take, for instance, a MathOperations class with a multiply method that accepts two parameters. To support the multiplication of three numbers, we design a subclass, ExtendedMathOperations, and include a new multiply method in it, ensuring backward compatibility.

Ruby
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1class MathOperations  # Superclass
2  def multiply(a, b)
3    a * b
4  end
5end
6
7class ExtendedMathOperations < MathOperations  # Subclass
8  def multiply(a, b, c = 1)
9    a * b * c
10  end
11end
12
13math_ops = MathOperations.new
14extended_math_ops = ExtendedMathOperations.new
15puts math_ops.multiply(2, 3)           # Output: 6
16puts extended_math_ops.multiply(2, 3)  # Output: 6, keeping backward compatibility
17puts extended_math_ops.multiply(2, 3, 4)  # Output: 24

Consider a Document class that prints a text document and a subclass PhotoDocument, which supports color prints, as an example. This design allows the implementation without changing Document#print_doc.

Ruby
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1class Document
2  def initialize(text)
3    @text = text
4  end
5
6  def print_doc
7    puts "Printing document: #{@text}"
8  end
9end
10
11class PhotoDocument < Document
12  def print_doc(is_colour_print = false)
13    print_type = is_colour_print ? "Colour " : ""
14    puts "#{print_type}Printing document: #{@text}"
15  end
16end
17
18doc = Document.new("Hello")
19doc.print_doc  # Output: Printing document: Hello
20
21photo_doc = PhotoDocument.new("Beautiful Sunset!")
22photo_doc.print_doc          # Output: Printing document: Beautiful Sunset!
23photo_doc.print_doc(true)    # Output: Colour Printing document: Beautiful Sunset!

As with any programming approach, using polymorphism to maintain backward compatibility comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here, we will explore two key pros and two cons to give you a more balanced understanding.

Pros

1. Flexibility in Feature Expansion: Polymorphism allows for easy extension and addition of new features without altering the existing system's functionality. This means developers can introduce new subclasses that provide enhanced features while the original classes remain unaffected and continue to support legacy systems.

2. Seamless Integration with Existing Codebase: Since polymorphism enables new features to coexist with older ones through subclassing, integrating these features into the existing codebase does not disrupt the functionality of legacy systems. This approach minimizes the risk of breaking changes and ensures a smoother transition for systems adopting new features.

Cons

1. Increased Complexity: While polymorphism promotes flexibility and integration, it can also lead to a more complex codebase. Developers must understand the entire hierarchy and relationships between classes to effectively implement and maintain the system. This complexity might slow down development and increase the likelihood of errors.

2. Potential Overhead in Performance: The use of polymorphism, especially when it involves a deep class hierarchy or extensive method overriding, might introduce runtime overhead. This is because the program needs to determine the correct method to execute at runtime dynamically, which could impact performance, particularly in systems where efficiency is critical.

Understanding these pros and cons is essential for making informed decisions when considering polymorphism as a strategy for adding new features while keeping backward compatibility.

You have aced understanding of polymorphism and its role in maintaining backward compatibility. Now, gear up for insightful exercises to reinforce today's learning. Regular application is the key to mastering these concepts. Are you ready to put your skills to the test? Let's go!