In this article, you\u2019ll learn about method overloading and how you can achieve it in Java with the help of examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Java, two or more\u00a0methods\u00a0may have the same name if they differ in parameters (different number of parameters, different types of parameters, or both). These methods are called overloaded methods and this feature is called method overloading. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
void func() { ... }\nvoid func(int a) { ... }\nfloat func(double a) { ... }\nfloat func(int a, float b) { ... }<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nHere, the func()<\/code> method is overloaded. These methods have the same name but accept different arguments.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNote<\/strong>: The return types of the above methods are not the same. It is because method overloading is not associated with return types. Overloaded methods may have the same or different return types, but they must differ in parameters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/a>Why method overloading?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSuppose, you have to perform the addition of given numbers but there can be any number of arguments (let\u2019s say either 2 or 3 arguments for simplicity).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to accomplish the task, you can create two methods sum2num(int, int)<\/code> and sum3num(int, int, int)<\/code> for two and three parameters respectively. However, other programmers, as well as you in the future may get confused as the behavior of both methods are the same but they differ by name.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe better way to accomplish this task is by overloading methods. And, depending upon the argument passed, one of the overloaded methods is called. This helps to increase the readability of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to perform method overloading in Java?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here are different ways to perform method overloading:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>1. Overloading by changing the number of parameters<\/h3>\n\n\n\nclass MethodOverloading {\n private static void display(int a){\n System.out.println(\"Arguments: \" + a);\n }\n\n private static void display(int a, int b){\n System.out.println(\"Arguments: \" + a + \" and \" + b);\n }\n\n public static void main(String[] args) {\n display(1);\n display(1, 4);\n }\n}<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOutput<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nArguments: 1\nArguments: 1 and 4<\/samp><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<\/a>2. Method Overloading by changing the data type of parameters<\/h3>\n\n\n\nclass MethodOverloading {\n\n \/\/ this method accepts int\n private static void display(int a){\n System.out.println(\"Got Integer data.\");\n }\n\n \/\/ this method accepts String object\n private static void display(String a){\n System.out.println(\"Got String object.\");\n }\n\n public static void main(String[] args) {\n display(1);\n display(\"Hello\");\n }\n}<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nOutput<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nGot Integer data.\nGot String object.<\/samp><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nHere, both overloaded methods accept one argument. However, one accepts the argument of type int<\/code> whereas other accepts String<\/code> object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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