Late Binding - Criticism

Criticism

Late binding has poorer performance than an early bound method call. Under most implementations the correct method address must be looked up by name with each call, requiring relatively expensive dictionary search and possibly overload resolution logic.

Late binding necessarily prevents the use of static type checking. When making a late bound call, the compiler has to assume that the method exists. This means a simple spelling error can cause a runtime error to be thrown. The exact exception varies by language, but it is usually named something like "Method Not Found" or "Method Missing".

Late binding prevents many forms of static analysis needed by an integrated development environment (IDE). For example, an IDE's "go to definition" feature cannot be used on a late-bound call, because the IDE has no way to know which class the call may refer to. Another problem is that the lack of typing information prevents the creation of dependency graphs. However, other programming methods such as abstract interfaces can result in the same problems.