Java Polymorphism: Method Overriding Explained

📘 Java Learning – Polymorphism (Part 2: Runtime Polymorphism / Method Overriding) While strengthening my Core Java fundamentals, I learned how Method Overriding allows the same method to behave differently at runtime, making programs more flexible and extensible. ▶️ What is Method Overriding? When a child class provides its own implementation of a parent class method using the same method signature. 📌 Method signature = method name + argument list (Return type is not part of the method signature) 🔰 Why Method Overriding? Method overriding enables runtime polymorphism, where the JVM resolves method calls at runtime based on the actual object, not the reference type. ➡️ Hence, overriding is also called: • Runtime polymorphism • Dynamic polymorphism • Late binding • Dynamic method dispatch 🧪 Example: class Parent { void show() { System.out.println("Parent"); } } class Child extends Parent { void show() { System.out.println("Child"); } } Parent p = new Child(); p.show(); // Output: Child 📌 Even though the reference type is Parent, the Child’s method executes at runtime. 📌 Key Observations • Method names and arguments must match • Covariant return types are allowed (object types only) • Final methods cannot be overridden • Private methods are not overridden • Access modifier scope can be increased but not reduced • Static methods result in method hiding, not overriding • Overriding applies only to methods, not variables ⭐ What I Gained from This • Clear understanding of runtime method resolution • Strong clarity on object-based method execution • Better insight into Java’s dynamic behavior Method overriding plays a key role in achieving true polymorphism in Java. Continuing to strengthen my Core Java & OOPS fundamentals step by step. #Java #CoreJava #OOPS #Polymorphism #MethodOverriding #LearningByDoing

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