Define Method Overloading and Method Overriding with examples

Method overloading and method overriding are two important concepts in object-oriented programming (OOP), especially in languages like Java, C++, and Python. They both involve using the same method name, but they differ in how and why they are used.

🔹 Method Overloading

✅ Definition

Method overloading means defining multiple methods with the same name in the same class, but with different parameters (different number, type, or order of parameters).

👉 It is an example of compile-time polymorphism.

✅ Key Points

• Same method name
• Different parameter list
• Happens within the same class
• Return type alone is not enough to differentiate methods

💻 Example (Java)

class Calculator {
    // Method with 2 parameters
    int add(int a, int b) {
        return a + b;
    }

    // Method with 3 parameters
    int add(int a, int b, int c) {
        return a + b + c;
    }

    // Method with different data type
    double add(double a, double b) {
        return a + b;
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Calculator obj = new Calculator();
        System.out.println(obj.add(2, 3));        // calls first method
        System.out.println(obj.add(2, 3, 4));     // calls second method
        System.out.println(obj.add(2.5, 3.5));    // calls third method
    }
}

🔹 Method Overriding

✅ Definition

Method overriding means redefining a method in a subclass that already exists in the parent class, using the same method signature.

👉 It is an example of runtime polymorphism.

✅ Key Points

• Requires inheritance
• Same method name and parameters
• Method in child class replaces parent version
• Decided at runtime

💻 Example (Java)

class Animal {
    void sound() {
        System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    // Overriding method
    void sound() {
        System.out.println("Dog barks");
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal obj = new Dog();  // Parent reference, child object
        obj.sound();             // calls Dog's method
    }
}

🔁 Difference Between Overloading and Overriding

Feature Method Overloading Method Overriding Definition Same method name, different parameters Same method, same parameters Inheritance Not required Required Polymorphism Type Compile-time Runtime Class Same class Parent & child class Exampleadd(int, int) vs add(int, int, int)Parent sound() → Child sound()

✔️ In short:

• Overloading = same method name, different inputs
• Overriding = same method, different behavior in child class