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Explore advanced runtime polymorphism techniques in C++ through this comprehensive conference talk that demonstrates how External Polymorphism and Type Erasure can overcome the fundamental limitations of traditional inheritance-based approaches. Learn why subclassing creates performance bottlenecks through forced heap allocation, indirection overhead, and restrictive inheritance hierarchies that require awkward code contortions. Discover how properly implemented Type Erasure, described as "Internal External Polymorphism," enables value semantics, eliminates the need for inheritance hierarchies, and provides unprecedented modeling freedom where interfaces can hold completely different types than the original for practical performance gains. Master the intersection of design, architecture, and performance optimization that makes Type Erasure effective, including built-in optional and expected monad patterns, copy-on-write semantics applied precisely where beneficial, and new generic programming concepts applicable across large codebases. Examine real-world production implementations that demonstrate how these techniques unlock better performance, greater modeling power, and expanded possibilities beyond traditional object-oriented constraints. Gain insights from an experienced library author and former tech lead who has successfully applied these concepts in high-performance environments including automated trading systems.
