Method Overloading Vs. Method Overriding: Explore What is the Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java?
In this article, we will discuss various ways in which both of these differ from each other. But before we discuss the difference between method overloading and method overriding, let us first understand more about them individually.
What is Method Overloading?
It is a Compile-time polymorphism. When using the method overloading, you will find more than one method with different signatures sharing the same name in any given class. The return type may or may not be the same in a method overloading. But a user has to change their parameters. It is because one can’t achieve method overloading in Java by making changes only in the method’s return type.
What is Method Overriding?
It is a Run time polymorphism. When using the method overriding, the derived class comes up with the specific implementation of any method. A parent class or a base class already provides it. In the case of method overriding, the return type may be co-variant or the same. It means that the return type may have variations in the same direction as that of the derived class.
Difference Between Method Overloading and Method Overriding in Java
| Parameter | Method Overloading in Java | Method Overriding in Java |
| Type of Argument | The argument type needs to be different in Method Overloading (at least the order). | The argument type needs to be the same in Method Overriding (including the order). |
| Return Type | It can be different or the same in this case. But it is a must for a user to change the parameter. | It must be the very same until the 1.4 version of Java only. After that, it only allows the Covariant return type from Java 1.5 onwards. |
| Access Modifiers | You can use any access modifier, or it can be different. | The access modifier for a subclass method must be the very same or higher than the access modifier of the superclass method. |
| Method Signatures | Every method signature must be different (with the same name) in the case of Method Overloading. | Every method signature must be the same (with the same name) in the case of Method Overriding. |
| Class | A user can generally perform method overloading within the same class. | A user can usually perform the method overriding in two of the classes through the Inheritance (considered an Is-A relationship). |
| Final/Static/Private Method | A user can easily overload it. | It is not possible for a user to override it. |
| Method Resolution | A user can always take care of it with a Java compiler based on the reference type. | A user can always take care of it with the JVM based on the runtime object. |
| Performance | The method overloading exhibits much better performance. | The method overriding usually exhibits a lesser performance. |
| Polymorphism | It is also known as the early binding, static polymorphism, or compile-time polymorphism. | It is also known as late binding, dynamic polymorphism, or runtime polymorphism. |
| Uses | The method overloading assists in raising the program’s readability. | It assists in granting the specific implementation of any method (that the superclass or parent class provides). |
| Inheritance | It may or may not be requiring inheritance. | It is always in need of inheritance. |
| Parameter | The parameter needs to be different in the case of method overloading. | The parameter needs to be the same in the case of method overriding. |
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