Method Overloading and Method Overriding

Method Overloading in Python:

Method Overloading means defining multiple methods in the same class with the same name but different parameters (number or type).

Note: Python does not support true method overloading like Java or C++. Instead, it can be simulated using default arguments or *args.

Why it’s useful:

• Allows function flexibility with different numbers of arguments.
• Makes the interface simpler for users.

Example:

class Calculator:
    def add(self, a=0, b=0, c=0):
        return a + b + c

calc = Calculator()
print(calc.add(2))           # 2
print(calc.add(2, 3))        # 5
print(calc.add(2, 3, 4))     # 9

Method Overriding in Python:

Method Overriding occurs when a child class defines a method with the same name and parameters as a method in its parent class, effectively replacing the parent’s implementation.

• It is a core concept of inheritance.

Example:

class Animal:
    def speak(self):
        print("Animal speaks")

class Dog(Animal):
    def speak(self):  # overriding the parent method
        print("Dog barks")

d = Dog()
d.speak()  # Output: Dog barks

Differences between Method Overloading and Method Overriding: