Method Overloading vs Overriding in Java: Key Concepts Explained

Method overloading and overriding are two important concepts in Java that involve redefining methods. Overloading occurs when multiple methods in the same class share the same name but different parameters. Overriding occurs when a subclass redefines a method from its superclass with the same signature.

Here’s an example of both:

class Parent {
    void show() {
        System.out.println("Parent show");
    }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    @Override
    void show() {
        System.out.println("Child show");
    }

    void show(int a) {
        System.out.println("Overloaded show: " + a);
    }
}
            

In this example, the `Child` class overrides the `show()` method from `Parent` and overloads it with a new parameter. Overloading improves code flexibility, while overriding enables polymorphism.