Difference between Method/Function Overloading and Overriding (Polymorphism)

Polymorphism, a foundational concept in object-oriented programming (OOP), allows methods or functions to process objects differently based on their data type or class. In Java, polymorphism enables one interface to be used for a general class of actions, allowing a program to behave dynamically depending on the context. This tutorial explains polymorphism, covers its types and benefits, and illustrates its implementation in Java.

What is Polymorphism?

Polymorphism, from Greek words meaning “many forms,” refers to the ability of an object to take on multiple forms. It allows a single function or method to work differently based on the object calling it, which enhances code flexibility and reusability. In Java, polymorphism can be achieved through:

1. Method Overloading (Compile-Time Polymorphism)
2. Method Overriding (Run-Time Polymorphism)

1. Compile-Time Polymorphism (Method Overloading)

In function overloading, multiple methods in the same class have the same name but different parameter lists. The compiler determines which method to call based on the method signature. This decision is made during compilation, hence the term “compile-time…