Polymorphism vs. Overloading

Dear group.-


Last week I was invited to join a Thesis (MsC) presentation.
At some point a question raised about the exact difference between
Polymorphism and Overloading.
Well, it seemed that everyone had an intuitive idea about the difference
but none could state a formal and clear distinction. The most of efforts
ended in pragmatics examples of well known languages constructions (some
kind of tautological explanation trying to point out that a virtual method
of a class was an obvious candidate for Polymorphism !!).
There were some weak intents too to state the difference based on the
application scope of a polymorphic function (Universal) vs. the more (a
priori) restricted one of a overloadable operation
(perhaps, a more promising approach).
Now, I wonder if some of you could help me by stating more precisely (and
rigourosly) the exact nature of the difference. I am not looking for a long
and very-formal dissertation. Few (specific and direct) arguments will be
OK (and very welcome!!).


Thanks group..




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      Gabriela O. de Vivo
gdevivo@dino.conicit.ve
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