Overloading
Think of it as having multiple versions of the same function or method.
Key Idea: Same name, different parameters (like number or type).
Example: Imagine a smartphone app that has a “send” button.If you click it with one photo, it sends just that photo.
If you click it with three photos, it sends all three.
Both buttons are named “send,” but they work differently based on how many photos you select.
Visualize: Overloading is like a single remote control with different buttons for different functions.

Overriding
Think of it as redefining a method in a subclass that is already defined in its superclass.
Key Idea: Same name and parameters, but different behavior.
Example: Imagine a general vehicle class that has a method called “start.”For a car subclass, “start” might include turning the key and revving the engine.
For a bike subclass, “start” might just mean pedaling.
Visualize: Overriding is like replacing the old TV show with a new season where the story changes, but the main title remains the same.

Overloading: Same name, different parameters (like “send” with different numbers of photos).
Overriding: Same name, same parameters, but different behavior in subclasses (like “start” for a car vs. a bike).

Both overloading and overriding involve using the same method name, but they differ in context and purpose. Here’s a clearer breakdown focusing on that aspect:
Overloading
Same Name, Different Parameters:
Overloading happens within the same class.
Methods have the same name but differ in the type or number of parameters.
Example:
class Calculator {
int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b; // Adding two integers
}
double add(double a, double b) { return a + b; // Adding two doubles } int add(int a, int b, int c) { return a + b + c; // Adding three integers }
}

Overriding
Same Name, Same Parameters:
Overriding occurs in a subclass that inherits from a superclass.
The method has the same name and parameters but provides a different implementation.
Example:
class Animal {
void sound() {
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
@Override
void sound() {
System.out.println("Dog barks"); // Changing behavior
}
}

Overloading: Same name, different parameters (like “add” for different types or counts of numbers).
Overriding: Same name, same parameters, but a different implementation in a subclass (like “sound” for different animals).

Method Overriding
Definition: Method overriding allows a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its parent class.

Same Name and Parameters: The method in the child class must have:
The same name as the method in the parent class.
The same parameter list (same type and number of parameters).

Purpose: The main purpose of overriding is to provide a specific behavior for a method in the context of the subclass, enhancing or modifying the behavior inherited from the parent class.
Example of Method Overriding
Here’s an example to illustrate:
Parent Class (Superclass)
class Animal {
void sound() { // Method to be overridden
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
}
}

Child Class (Subclass)
class Dog extends Animal {
@Override // Annotation to indicate overriding
void sound() { // Same method name and parameters as in Animal
System.out.println("Dog barks"); // Specific implementation for Dog
}
}

Key Points to Remember
Inheritance: The child class inherits the properties and methods of the parent class.
@Override Annotation: This is used (though optional) to indicate that a method is overriding a method in the superclass. It helps with readability and catches errors if the method does not match any method in the parent class.

Dynamic Polymorphism: Method overriding is a key feature of polymorphism in object-oriented programming, allowing the program to decide at runtime which method implementation to invoke based on the object’s actual type.

Overriding is when a subclass (like Dog) implements a method that has the same name and parameters as a method in its superclass (like Animal).

It allows the subclass to customize or change the behavior inherited from the parent class.

While you can always create a new method instead of overriding an existing one, there are several reasons why overriding is often preferred in object-oriented programming (OOP). Here are some key points:

Polymorphism
Dynamic Behavior: Overriding allows for polymorphism, where a subclass can define specific behavior while still being treated as an instance of the parent class. This enables methods to be called on objects without needing to know their specific type at compile time.
Example: You can have a reference of type Animal that points to an instance of Dog. When you call the sound() method, the overridden version in Dog will be executed.
Animal myDog = new Dog();
myDog.sound(); // Output: Dog barks

Code Reusability
Avoiding Duplication: By overriding methods, you can reuse existing code from the parent class, which reduces redundancy. If you created a new method instead, you’d have to implement the same or similar logic again.

Clearer Structure and Maintenance
Logical Relationship: Overriding establishes a clear parent-child relationship between classes, which makes the code easier to understand and maintain. It signifies that the child class is a specialized version of the parent class.
Example: If Animal has a general method sound(), and each animal type has its own specific implementation, overriding communicates this specialization clearly.

Consistency Across Subclasses
Common Interface: Overriding ensures that all subclasses adhere to a common method signature. This consistency is crucial when you have collections of parent class objects and want to call overridden methods without worrying about their specific types.

Enhancement of Functionality
Specific Behavior: Sometimes, a parent class method may not be sufficient for a specific subclass’s needs. Overriding allows you to enhance or modify that behavior without altering the parent class.
Example of Creating a New Method vs. Overriding
Creating a New Method (Less Effective)
class Animal {
void sound() {
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
}
void dogSound() { // New method for Dog System.out.println("Dog barks"); }
}

Using Overriding (More Effective)
class Animal {
void sound() {
System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
}
}
class Dog extends Animal {
@Override
void sound() { // Overrides the parent class method
System.out.println("Dog barks");
}
}

Overriding allows subclasses to provide specific implementations for methods, facilitating polymorphism, code reuse, clearer structure, and consistent behavior.

It helps in building flexible and maintainable code architectures, especially in larger applications.