Difference Between Overloading and Overriding in Java: Understanding the Key Concepts in 2025

Have you ever felt stuck trying to figure out why a method behaves one way in one scenario and completely differently in another? If you’re a Java developer or a student exploring Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), understanding this distinction is critical—and it can save you countless hours of debugging.

The key lies in two foundational concepts: overloading and overriding. These mechanisms not only streamline your code but also play a vital role in making it efficient and reusable.

In this blog, we’ll demystify the difference between overloading and overriding in Java with clear explanations and practical examples. By the end, you’ll confidently apply these concepts to write cleaner, more dynamic Java code. Let’s dive in!

What is Method Overloading, and Why Does it Matter in OOP?

Method overloading in Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) allows you to define multiple methods within the same class with the same name but with different parameters. These parameters can vary in terms of their number, type, or order.

Importance of Overloading 

• Enhanced Code Readability: Overloading enhances code readability by providing meaningful names to methods that perform similar tasks with slight variations. 
• Reduced Code Duplication: Overloading helps reduce code duplication by allowing you to write a single method name for various scenarios.

Here's a simple code example demonstrating method overloading:

public class Calculator {

    public int add(int a, int b) {
        return a + b;
    }

    public int add(int a, int b, int c) {
        return a + b + c;
    }

    public double add(double a, double b) {
        return a + b;
    }
}

In this example, the add() method is overloaded three times:

• add(int a, int b): Adds two integers.
• add(int a, int b, int c): Adds three integers.
• add(double a, double b): Adds two double values.

Key Characteristics of Method Overloading:

• Same method name: Methods with the same name are essential for overloading.
• Different parameters: The parameters must differ in terms of their number, type, or order.
• Occurs within a single class: Overloading happens within the boundaries of a single class.

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Also Read: What is Coding? Uses of Coding for Software Engineer in 2024

In the next section, you'll develop a clear understanding of overriding. 

What is Method Overriding and Its Role in Inheritance?

Method overriding is a key feature of Object-Oriented Programming that enhances flexibility in code design. It occurs when a subclass redefines a method already declared in its superclass, allowing the subclass to adapt or extend the inherited behavior. This mechanism is crucial for achieving dynamic method dispatch and implementing polymorphism in Java. 

Key Characteristics:

Same Method Name and Signature
For overriding to occur, the method in the subclass must have:

• The same name as the method in the superclass.
• The same parameters, meaning the same number, types, and order of arguments (method signature).

For example:

// Parent class
class Animal {
    // Method to be overridden
    void sound() {
        System.out.println("Animal makes a sound");
    }
}

// Subclass
class Dog extends Animal {
    // Overriding the sound method
    @Override
    void sound() {
        System.out.println("Dog barks");
    }
}

public class MethodOverridingExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal myAnimal = new Animal(); // Create an Animal object
        myAnimal.sound(); // Call the method on the Animal object

        Animal myDog = new Dog(); // Create a Dog object (reference is Animal)
        myDog.sound(); // Call the overridden method on the Dog object
    }
}

Occurs Between Two Classes in an Inheritance Relationship
Method overriding is only possible when there is an inheritance relationship between classes. It reflects the "is-a" relationship, where the subclass inherits from the superclass.

For instance:

// Parent class
class Vehicle {
    // Method to be overridden
    void start() {
        System.out.println("Vehicle is starting");
    }
}

// Subclass
class Car extends Vehicle {
    // Overriding the start method
    @Override
    void start() {
        System.out.println("Car is starting with a key");
    }
}

public class MethodOverridingInheritance {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Vehicle myVehicle = new Vehicle(); // Create a Vehicle object
        myVehicle.start(); // Calls the start method in Vehicle class

        Vehicle myCar = new Car(); // Create a Car object (reference is Vehicle)
        myCar.start(); // Calls the overridden start method in Car class
    }
}

Role in Runtime Polymorphism:

Method overriding plays a crucial role in achieving runtime polymorphism in OOP. Runtime polymorphism enables you to treat objects of different classes as objects of a common superclass. 

Code Example:

class Animal {
    public void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Generic animal sound");
    }
}

class Dog extends Animal {
    @Override
    public void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Woof!");
    }
}

class Cat extends Animal {
    @Override
    public void makeSound() {
        System.out.println("Meow!");
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Animal animal1 = new Animal();
        Animal animal2 = new Dog();
        Animal animal3 = new Cat();

        animal1.makeSound(); // Output: Generic animal sound
        animal2.makeSound(); // Output: Woof!
        animal3.makeSound(); // Output: Meow!
    }
}

In this example:

• The Animal class has a method makeSound().
• The Dog and Cat classes override the makeSound() method to provide their specific animal sounds.

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Also Read: Polymorphism in Java: Concepts, Types, Characteristics & Examples

Now, let's explore the essential differences between overloading and overriding in Java.

Differences Between Overloading and Overriding in Java: Detailed Comparison

Overloading and overriding are two fundamental concepts in Java that involve methods with the same name, but they differ in their usage, behavior, and impact. Here's a detailed look at the difference between overloading and overriding. 

Developing a deeper understanding about Java OOPS concepts can help you to create scalable and secure applications. 

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When to Choose Overloading Over Overriding: A Practical Guide

Choosing between method overloading and overriding depends heavily on your specific design goals and the relationships between classes. Here are some guidelines:

Choose Overloading When:

• You need to handle different parameter combinations within the same class. Overloading is ideal for situations where a method needs to perform similar actions on different data types or with varying numbers of arguments.  
• You want to provide flexibility in method calls. Overloading allows you to call the same method with different arguments, making your code more versatile and easier to use.  
• You don't have an inheritance relationship. Overloading can be used in any class, regardless of its inheritance hierarchy.
• You want to improve code readability and maintainability within a single class. Overloading helps organize methods within a class by providing meaningful names for similar operations.

Choose Overriding When:

• You have an inheritance hierarchy and want to customize inherited behavior. Overriding is essential when you need to provide specific implementations for methods that are already defined in the superclass.  
• You want to achieve runtime polymorphism. Overriding is fundamental to achieving runtime polymorphism, which allows you to treat objects of different classes as objects of a common superclass.  
• You need to extend the functionality of superclass methods. Overriding allows subclasses to add new behavior or modify existing behavior of inherited methods.  
• You want to promote a modular and extensible design. Overriding encourages a hierarchical structure that is easier to maintain and extend over time.

Also Read: Encapsulation in Java with Example

Learning about OOP concepts can help you in your software development career. Find out how upGrad can help you with that. 

How upGrad Can Help You Master OOP Concepts

Whether you’re just starting your coding journey or already skilled in languages like Java, Python, or C++, learning Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a valuable step. For beginners, it builds a solid foundation in coding principles, and for experienced developers, it opens doors to advanced concepts and lucrative career opportunities. 

upGrad provides a variety of software development courses that cover essential concepts like overloading and overriding, empowering you to build efficient and scalable software. Explore these courses to enhance your OOP skills and advance your career: 

• Programming with Python: Introduction for Beginners
• Learn Python Libraries: NumPy, Matplotlib & Pandas
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