What is the difference between early and late binding in programming languages?

Early binding refers to compile-time binding, while late binding refers to runtime binding, both dealing with method calls in programming.

Early binding, also known as static binding or compile-time binding, is a process in which the compiler directly associates an actual method with a method call. This means that the method to be executed is determined at the compile-time itself. This is typically used in statically typed languages like C++ and Java. Early binding allows for better performance as the method to be executed is known beforehand, reducing runtime overhead. However, it lacks flexibility as the binding cannot be changed once compiled. To understand more about how methods and objects operate in this context, see the section on the nature of objects in programming.

On the other hand, late binding, also known as dynamic binding or runtime binding, is a process where the method associated with a method call is determined during the program's execution. This is common in dynamically typed languages like Python and JavaScript. Late binding provides more flexibility as the method to be executed can be changed during runtime, allowing for more dynamic behaviour. However, it can lead to a slight decrease in performance as the determination of the method to be executed adds to the runtime overhead. For a deeper understanding of programming constructs that enable this flexibility, refer to introduction to fundamental programming constructs.

Additionally, exploring the features of OOP core principles can provide further insight into how object-oriented programming languages implement both early and late binding, enhancing both performance and flexibility depending on the language's design and use case.

A-Level Computer Science Tutor Summary: Early binding happens when a program is being created, linking methods to calls early on, which speeds things up but is less flexible. Late binding happens while the program is running, allowing methods to be changed as needed, offering flexibility but possibly slowing things down. Essentially, early binding is about efficiency and predictability, while late binding favours flexibility and adaptability.