std::map unable to handle polymorphism?

Question

When using std::map in c++, is it possible to store inherited classes as their \"base class\" in the map and still being able to call their overloaded methods? See this exam

Answer 1

Dynamic polymorphism works only with references and pointers. In case of using containers, which copy objects around inside them -- only with pointers.

If you would force a cast from super type to base type without using pointer or reference, the object memory would be sliced. Check this out: Object slicing wikipedia article