___________ binding is when a function call is bound at runtime.

Function binding refers to the process where a function definition is associated with a specific function call. In the case of dynamic binding (also called run-time binding), this association happens at runtime – when the program is being executed. It allows a program to be more flexible and adaptable to various situations, as the specific function to be executed can be determined based on the ongoing conditions in the program.

Dynamic binding has several advantages 1. Flexibility: It allows for greater flexibility in code, as the decision about which function to call can be made during the program's execution, based on conditions and input data. 2. Code Reusability: By enabling dynamic function selection, a program can make use of different function implementations while maintaining a single interface to interact with those functions. This can lead to improved code reusability. 3. Polymorphism: Dynamic binding facilitates polymorphism, a key concept in object-oriented programming, where a single function name can be used to perform different tasks. It enables system capabilities to be expanded easily by adding new classes without having to modify existing code.

Despite its advantages, dynamic binding also has some drawbacks. 1. Performance: Run-time binding may impact performance, as additional time is needed at runtime to determine the appropriate function to call. 2. Compile-Time Error Detection: Compile-time errors can be harder to detect with dynamic binding since the association of function definitions may not happen until the program is being executed. This increases the chance of run-time errors.

Let's consider an example of dynamic binding in an object-oriented programming language. Suppose we have two classes, Animal and Dog, where Dog is a subclass of Animal. class Animal { public: virtual void speak() { cout << "The animal makes a sound." << endl; } }; class Dog: public Animal { public: void speak() { cout << "The dog barks." << endl; } }; With the help of dynamic binding, we can use a pointer to the base class (Animal) to call the speak() function of instances of the derived class (Dog). Animal* animalPtr = new Dog(); animalPtr->speak(); // Output: The dog barks. Here, at runtime, the binding of the speak() function to the appropriate implementation is decided based on the object type (Dog) that the Animal pointer is referring to.