Method Overloading vs Method Overriding In JAVA

In this section we are going to discuss the difference between method overloading and method overriding. Firstly understand the definition of both terms in brief:

Method overloading refers to a concept in which we have more than one method with a same name but differ in the number or types of parameters within a same class.

Method overriding refers to a concept in which we redefine the method in child class with same name, same return type and same parameter list as its parent class method.

Method Overloading

Method Overriding

Method overloading is used to increase the readability of the program. Method overriding is used to give the specific implementation of the method that is already provided by its parent class.
Method overloading is done within class. Method overriding occurs in two classes that have IS-A relationship.
In case of method overloading, parameter must be different. In case of method overriding, parameter must be same.
Method overloading is the example of compile time polymorphism. Method overriding is the example of run time polymorphism.
Method overloading cannot be performed by changing return type of the method only. Return type can be same or different, but there must change in the parameter. Return type must be same or covariant in method overriding.
In method overloading, you can overload method in same class. In method overriding, you can only override method in child class.
In method overloading, you can overload static method in Java In method overriding, you cannot override static method in Java.
In method overloading, private and final method can be overloaded in Java. In method overriding, private and final method cannot be overridden in Java.
It may or may not need inheritance in Method Overloading. It always requires inheritance in Method Overriding.