Difference between method Overloading and Method Overriding in java

Method Overloading and Method Overriding are two important concepts in Java that involve the redefinition of methods. Although they share some similarities, they have distinct characteristics and purposes. Here are the key differences between method overloading and method overriding:

  1. Definition:

    • Method Overloading: Method overloading refers to the ability to have multiple methods with the same name but different parameters within the same class. These methods can have different return types, access modifiers, or throw different exceptions.
    • Method Overriding: Method overriding occurs when a subclass provides a different implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. The overriding method must have the same name, return type, and parameters as the method in the superclass.

  2. Relationship:

    • Method Overloading: Overloaded methods are related to each other based on the same class. They are resolved at compile-time based on the method signature and arguments.
    • Method Overriding: Overriding methods are related to each other based on inheritance. The subclass overrides the method defined in its superclass.

  3. Inheritance:

    • Method Overloading: Overloading does not require inheritance. Overloaded methods can exist within the same class without any inheritance relationship.
    • Method Overriding: Overriding requires inheritance. The overriding method must be defined in a subclass that extends or inherits from the superclass.

  4. Purpose:

    • Method Overloading: Overloading is used to provide multiple methods with the same name but different functionalities within a class. It allows a method to perform similar operations on different data types or handle different scenarios.
    • Method Overriding: Overriding is used to change or extend the behavior of an inherited method in a subclass. It allows a subclass to provide its own implementation while retaining the method signature of the superclass.

  5. Execution:

    • Method Overloading: Overloaded methods are resolved at compile-time based on the method signature and arguments. The appropriate overloaded method is determined by the compiler.
    • Method Overriding: Overridden methods are resolved at runtime based on the actual type of the object. The appropriate overridden method is determined dynamically based on the object's actual type.

  6. Relationship with Superclass Method:

    • Method Overloading: Overloaded methods are independent of each other and do not have a direct relationship with each other or the superclass method.
    • Method Overriding: Overriding methods are directly related to the superclass method. The overriding method provides a different implementation of the superclass method.

  7. Annotation:

    • Method Overloading: No specific annotation is used for method overloading.
    • Method Overriding: The @Override annotation can be used to indicate that a method is intended to override a superclass method.

In summary, method overloading involves having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters within the same class, while method overriding occurs when a subclass provides its own implementation of a method already defined in its superclass. Method overloading is resolved at compile-time, whereas method overriding is resolved at runtime. Overloading is not dependent on inheritance, while overriding requires inheritance.

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