What does "polymorphism" allow in object-oriented programming?

Polymorphism in object-oriented programming is a core concept that allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common super class. This is made possible through a common interface or abstract class. The power of polymorphism comes from its ability to enable methods to use objects of different types, enhancing flexibility and the capability to write more generalized code.

When a class implements a specific interface, it can provide its own unique implementation of the methods defined in that interface. This way, even though the method names may be the same across different classes, the actual behavior can vary based on the class of the object invoking the method. This allows for dynamic method resolution at runtime, which is a key feature that enhances code maintenance and scalability.

Understanding this concept is crucial as it allows developers to write more adaptable code that can work with new classes without needing to modify existing code, thus promoting the principles of code reusability and abstraction in software design.