What is the difference between runtime and compile-time polymorphism in real systems?

Compile-time polymorphism is resolved during compilation, runtime polymorphism is resolved during execution.

Compile-time polymorphism (method overloading/operator overloading) is resolved by the compiler using method signatures. Runtime polymorphism (method overriding) uses dynamic dispatch, where the actual method execution depends on the object type at runtime. In enterprise systems, runtime polymorphism enables plugin-based architectures and extensible services, while compile-time polymorphism is used for predictable API contracts.