Difference between Method overloading and Method overriding in Java





Hey guys in this article, you will understand the difference between Method overloading and method overriding in Java with easy to understand example

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Method Overloading vs Method Overriding


Following are the difference between Method overloading and Method overriding

Method Overloading Method Overriding
Method overloading is used to increase the readability of the program. Method overriding is used to provide the specific implementation of the method that is already provided by its super class.
Method overloading is performed within class. Method overriding occurs in two classes that have IS-A (inheritance) relationship.
In case of method overloading, parameter must be different. In case of method overriding, parameter must be same.
Method overloading is the example of compile time polymorphism. Method overriding is the example of run time polymorphism.
In java, method overloading can’t be done by changing only the return type of method. Return type can be same/different in overloading, but you must change the parameter. Return type must be same or covariant (changing return type to subclass type) in method overriding.

Method Overloading


Advantage of method overloading

Method overloading increases the readability of the program.

Different ways to overload the method

There are two ways to overload the method in java

  1. By changing number of arguments
  2. By changing the data type

In java, Method Overloading is not possible by changing the return type of the method only.

Why Method Overloading is not possible by changing the return type of method only?

In java, method overloading is not possible by changing the return type of the method only because of ambiguity.

Example


Following is an example that demonstrates the Method overloading

public class Calculate {
	
	public static void main(String[] args) {
		Calculate c = new Calculate();
		System.out.println(c.add(2, 4));
		System.out.println(c.add(2.5, 4.5));
	}
	
	public int add(int a, int b) {
		return a + b;
	}
	
	public double add(double a, double b) {
		return a + b;
	}
}

Method Overriding


Usage of Java Method Overriding

  • Method overriding is used to provide the specific implementation of a method which is already provided by its superclass.
  • Method overriding is used for runtime polymorphism

Rules for Java Method Overriding

  1. The method must have the same name as in the parent class
  2. The method must have the same parameter as in the parent class.
  3. There must be an IS-A relationship (inheritance).

Can we override static method?

No, a static method cannot be overridden. It can be proved by runtime polymorphism.

Why can we not override static method?

It is because the static method is bound with class whereas instance method is bound with an object. Static belongs to the class area, and an instance belongs to the heap area.

Can we override java main method?

No, because the main is a static method.

Example


Following is an example that demonstrates the Method overriding

class Parent{
    void display(){
        System.out.println("Parent");
    }
    void print(){
        System.out.println("Parent Print Method");
    }
}
class Child extends Parent{
    @Override
    void display(){
        System.out.println("Child");
    }
}
public class OverridingDemo{
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Child objChild = new Child();
        objChild.display();
        //Parent method will be called
        objChild.print();
    }
}

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Bushan Sirgur

Hey guys, I am Bushan Sirgur from Banglore, India. Currently, I am working as an Associate project in an IT company.

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