In the case of software development, object-oriented programming plays quite a crucial and prominent role!
When you study object-oriented programming, you will come across several concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, java compiler online, interpreters, data abstraction and other useful concepts.
Among these concepts, the concept of polymorphism is quite interesting to learn. You can also study its subconcepts like method overloading and method overriding in Java.
When any given class has two or more methods with the same name but different parameters, it is called the mechanism of method overloading.
On the other hand, in the case of method overriding, the superclass and the subclass will have several methods with their sub names.
Both the fields too hold certain points of differences that every programmer should know.
To help you in this regard, we have prepared this blog where we are helping you study the concept of method overloading and overriding alongside their key differences.
Read on!
Method overloading in Java
The concept of method overloading is defined as the method when a class would have two or more method names. Though, their parameters can be quite different. At the time of their calling, it will be based on the respective method body which can easily be bonded.
In the case of overloading method in Java:
- => We will not be able to overload the return type
=> We may use the static method, the arguments or parameters can be bit different
=> We my not overload two methods at the same time
=> The main{} method can be overloaded in this case
Method overriding in Java
In case of method overriding in Java, the superclass and the subclass will generally have parameters with the same name. The JVM will call upon the function based on the respective method of objects that are used in the call function.
In thi case, when both the classes will contain the methods that have the same name or arguments as parameters, you can execute a program in an efficient way. If a child class will call the method, it will automatically override the required parent class.
This method is also helpful in doing the implementation of runtime polymorphism in Java language.
Difference between overloading and overriding methods in Java
=> Definition
Overloading
The method overloading in case of Java is helpful to allow the polymorphism on some arguments or argument types. This is also known as the related-time polymorphism. It can’t be easily overloaded. Static methods are quite easy to overload but their arguments can be different.
Method overriding
The method overriding in Java allows for the polymorphism in a java program. It is basically used when your parent class provides a suitable method to implement any other method for overriding it. When the two or more methods exist in the same class, they may have different types of parameters.
=> Usage
Method Overloading
The method overloading is basically used in a program to increase its readability and to improve on its different operations.
Method overriding
The method overriding is particularly important to use in order to provide some specific instructions regarding the implementation of a given program where the parameter is already provided in the case of a superclass.
=> Argument Type
Method overloading
In the case of the overloading method, the argument types are seemingly different which means that they are specifically in their least order.
Method overriding
In the case of an overriding method, the argument types are generally considered the same. Moreover, their order is also considered the same.
=> Throw clause
Method overloading
In the case of method overloading in Java language, the exception is thrown while implementing this concept in the program.
Method overriding
Though, in the case of an overriding method, if a child class will throw any type of exception that is considered necessary for the parent class, it should throw out the same exception to the parent. Otherwise, it may be thrown to get the compile time error. But the restriction in this form will stay unchecked.
=> Requirement of inheritance
Method overloading
In this case, the concept of inheritance may not be applied because of the several operations performed.
Method overriding
In the case of method overriding, the concept of inheritance is quite widely used
=> Methods
Method overloading
In case of the method overloading, the private or final methods can easily be overloaded. A given class may have more than one private or final method that represents the same name in it.
Method overriding
Though, in the case of method overriding in Java, the private or final methods may not be overridden using their base classes.
=> Access modifier
Method overloading
In the case of method overloading, the access modifier can be seemingly different.
Method overriding
Though, in the case of method overriding, the subclass may have the method where the access modifier would either be the same or higher than their superclass access modifier in the overloading method.
=> Method resolution
Method overloading
In the case of method overloading, the compiler will always take ideal care of the method resolution on the basis of its ideal reference type
Method overriding
Though, in the case of overriding methods in Java, the JVM will take care of the method resolution on the basis of its runtime objects.
=> Return type
Method overloading
In the case of method overloading, you can change the return type otherwise this method will not be performed. Though, the return type can be different or same but their parameters need to be different from each other.
Method overriding
The return type in the case of method overriding can either be the same or different.
Wrapping up
Take cues from this blog post to learn the key differences between the concepts of method overloading and method overriding in Java. These differences will help you implement both these essential methods in programming in an ideal way.
also, get the opportunity to learn about several other key programming concepts like Java compiler online, inheritance, classes and other related concepts.
