Method Overloading vs Overriding

Differentiating between method overloading and overriding is crucial in understanding object-oriented programming.

Method Overloading

Method overloading involves having multiple methods with the same name within the same class, but with differing argument lists. This allows for greater flexibility in defining methods that handle different data types or parameter combinations. Consider the example:

class OverloadExample {
    void foo(int a) {
        // code to handle one integer argument
    }
    
    void foo(int a, float b) {
        // code to handle two arguments, one integer and one float
    }
}

Method Overriding

Method overriding occurs when a subclass defines a method with the same name, return type, and parameter list as a method in its superclass. The subclass method effectively replaces the superclass method in the inheritance hierarchy.

class ParentClass {
    void foo(double d) {
        // base implementation
    }
}

class ChildClass extends ParentClass {
    @Override
    void foo(double d) {
        // overridden implementation
    }
}

The key difference between overloading and overriding is that overloading occurs within the same class while overriding occurs in a subclass. Overloading enhances code versatility, while overriding allows for customizing behavior in derived classes.