Method overloading in C#

In this article we will discuss about method overloading concept with examples.

Definition: Method overloading is a concept of using same method name with differing in the number type and order of arguments.

 Example: if we want to add two integers or two float values we can write methods like

Before method overloading	After method overloading
public int AddIntValues(int a1, int a2)             {                 return a1 + a2;             } public float AddFloatValues(float a1, float a2)             {                 return a1 + a2;             }	public int Add(int a1, int a2)             {                 return a1 + a2;             }             public float Add(float a1, float a2)             {                 return a1 + a2;             }

The compiler will identify which method to execute based on number of arguments and their data types during compilation. 

Below is the example which shows method overloading.

Example:

class Base     {         public int Add(int a1, int a2)         {             return a1 + a2;         }         public float Add(int a1, float a2)         {             return a1 + a2;         }     }     class Derived : Base     {         public int Add(int a1, int a2, int a3)         {             return a1 + a2 + a3;         }         public float Add(float a1, int a2)         {             return a1 + a2;         }     }       class MethodOverloadingUsage     {         static void Main()         {             Derived obj = new Derived();             Console.WriteLine(obj.Add(10, 20));             Console.WriteLine(obj.Add(10, 12.5f));             Console.WriteLine(obj.Add(10, 20, 30));             Console.WriteLine(obj.Add(13.5f,10));             Console.Read();         }     }

Output: 30 22.5 60 23.5

When to use: If a method is performing similar action but using different parameters then we can use method overloading.

Data points:

• Return type of method will not considered for overloading usage
• Same method name provides different forms so it is example of polymorphism.
• In method overloading the method name should be same. Parameters (data type and order) and return type can be different for each method which is overloaded.