Overloading and overriding both reuse a method name, but they solve different problems.

Method Overloading

Multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists.

class Calculator {
    int add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }
    int add(int a, int b, int c) { return a + b + c; }
    double add(double a, double b) { return a + b; }
}

The compiler decides which method to call.

Method Overriding

A child class provides its own implementation of a parent method.

class BaseNotifier { void send() { System.out.println("Sending"); } }

class SlackNotifier extends BaseNotifier {
    @Override
    void send() { System.out.println("Sending Slack message"); }
}

The JVM chooses the actual implementation at runtime.

Comparison

Interview Rules

• Constructors can be overloaded.
• Constructors cannot be overridden.
• Static methods can be overloaded.
• Static methods are not truly overridden; they are hidden.
• Changing only return type does not overload a method.

Interview Notes

• Overloading gives one operation multiple input forms.
• Overriding changes inherited behavior.
• Overriding is central to runtime polymorphism.