What is the Difference Between Overloading and Overriding in Java?

Overloading and overriding are two core concepts in Java programming that help implement polymorphism. Here are the key differences between them:

• Overloading:
• Occurs within the same class.
• Methods have the same name but different parameters (number or type).
• Implements compile-time polymorphism.
• The method call is determined at compile time.
• Private and final methods can be overloaded.
• Method overloading helps increase the readability of the program.
• Overriding:
• Occurs between a superclass and a subclass.
• Methods have the same name and the same parameters (signature).
• Implements runtime polymorphism.
• The method call is determined at runtime based on the object type.
• Private and final methods cannot be overridden.
• Method overriding provides specific implementation of the method which is already existing in the superclass.

In summary, overloading allows methods with the same name but different parameters in the same class, while overriding enables a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method with the same name and parameters as in the superclass.

Comparative Table: Overloading vs Overriding in Java

Here is a table summarizing the differences between overloading and overriding in Java:

Overloading occurs when two or more methods in the same class have the same name but different parameters, while overriding occurs when the method signature (name and parameters) is the same in the superclass and the child class. Overloading is a compile-time polymorphism, and overriding is a run-time polymorphism. In overloading, the return type can be the same or different, but in overriding, the return type must remain the same. Private and final methods can be overloaded, but they cannot be overridden.