What is the Difference Between Overriding and Overloading in C#?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between overriding and overloading in C# lies in the purpose and behavior of these two concepts:
- Overloading:
- Overloading is a type of polymorphism, also known as "compile-time polymorphism" or "static polymorphism".
- It allows you to create multiple methods with the same name but different signatures (parameters) within the same class.
- The method call is determined at compile time, which means the compiler checks which method should be called based on the parameters passed.
- Changing the method's return type does not overload the method.
- Overriding:
- Overriding is a type of polymorphism, also known as "run-time polymorphism" or "dynamic polymorphism".
- It involves having two methods with the same name and the same signature (parameters), one in the base class and the other in the derived class.
- The method call is determined at runtime, which means the actual method to be called is decided at run time.
- Overriding allows a derived class to provide its own implementation of a method that it inherits from a base class.
In summary, overloading is a static form of polymorphism where multiple methods with the same name but different signatures are created within the same class, while overriding is a dynamic form of polymorphism where a method with the same name and signature is present in both the base and derived classes, with the derived class providing its own implementation.
Comparative Table: Overriding vs Overloading in C#
The main difference between overriding and overloading in C# lies in their dynamic or static nature, as well as their purpose. Here's a table summarizing the differences:
Feature | Overriding | Overloading |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Provides a different implementation of the same method in inherited classes. | Allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters within the same class. |
Dynamic or Static | Dynamic (determined at runtime). | Static (determined at compile time). |
Binding | Late binding (occurs at runtime). | Early binding (occurs at compile time). |
Method Signature | Same method name and different implementations. | Same method name but different parameters (number, order, or data types). |
Keyword | virtual and override . |
- |
In summary, overriding is a dynamic process that allows a subclass to provide its own implementation of a method it inherits from a superclass, while overloading is a static process that enables multiple methods with the same name but different parameters within the same class.
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