Java · Theory

Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java

Theory

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Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java

Overloading: same name, different parameters, same class, compile time. Overriding: child rewrites parent method with the same signature, runtime. Return type alone cannot overload.

Show overloading: add(int,int) and add(double,double). Show overriding: Animal a = new Dog(); a.sound(); → Dog’s version. Use @Override.

Don’t mix the two words. Two timings, two examples.

Let's take this on the board with one tiny Main class — no extra files. Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java — compiler picks the matching add based on argument types. Start from main, go line by line, and stop at each print. That output is the proof for Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding.

Exam tip

Two timings + two examples. Return type alone cannot overload.

Example

// Method overloading
public class Main {
  static int add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }
  static double add(double a, double b) { return a + b; }

  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println(add(2, 3));
    System.out.println(add(2.5, 3.5));
  }
}

Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java — compiler picks the matching add based on argument types.

Short notes

DefOverloading = different params, compile-time. Overriding = same signature in child, runtime.
RuleReturn type alone cannot overload. @Override for overriding.
RememberAnimal a = new Dog(); a.sound(); → Dog.
TrapMixing the two definitions.

// Method overloading public class Main { static int add(int a, int b) { return a + b; } static double add(double a, double b) { return a + b; } public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println(add(2, 3)); System.out.println(add(2.5, 3.5)); } }

Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java

Example

Short notes

Questions

Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java

Example

Short notes

Questions