Method overriding occurs when a subclass chooses to provide a specific implementation for a method already defined in its parent class. The overridden method in the subclass is expected to have an identical name, return type, and parameters as the method in the parent class.

Key Points:

Purpose: To supply a specific implementation in the subclass that differs from the parent class. Polymorphism allows object polymorphism, enabling a subclass to be handled as an instance of its parent class, however still executing the subclass’s overwritten method at runtime.

Method Overloading versus Method Overriding:

Overloading: Same method name but distinct parameters within the same class (compile-time polymorphism). Overriding: Identical method name, parameters, and return type in parent class and subclass (runtime polymorphism).

Importance:

• Allows dynamic method dispatch, enabling a specific implementation in a subclass to be called based on the object type at runtime.

class Animal {
void makeSound() {
System.out.println(“Animal makes a sound”);
}
}

class Dog extends Animal {
@Override
void makeSound() {
System.out.println(“Dog barks”);
}
}

public class Test {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Animal myAnimal = new Dog();
myAnimal.makeSound(); // Outputs: Dog barks
}
}