Method Overloading

Abstract

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• Method overloading happens when multiple methods in the same class (or inherited from a parent class) that share the same name but have different parameters (different function signature). You create an overloaded method by changing the types, order, or number of parameters the method takes, while keeping the method name the same

Why is this useful?

This allows the class to provide different implementations for the same conceptual operation based on the input it receives, promoting Polymorphism.

However, method overloading is not considered a form of polymorphism. Polymorphism involves providing different implementations to an existing method descriptor defined in a parent class or interface!

Not about changing the names of the parameters

Overloading is about changing the order, number, or types of parameters.

Method overriding in Java

You can even overload Java Constructor!

You can also overload static methods the same way you overload instance methods!

Method Invocation

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• Java favours the “more specific” method when there are multiple methods with the same name but different function signature

What is more specific?

A method M is more specific than a method N if the arguments to M can be passed to N without a compilation error.

For example, equals(Circle) is more specific than equals(Object) because a Circle object can be passed to equals(Object) without a compilation error.

Another example, equals(int) is more specific than equals(double) because an int value can be passed to equals(double) without a compilation error due to automatic widening conversion. However, a double value cannot be passed to equals(int) without a compilation error because it would require an explicit narrowing conversion.