View source for Method overriding

'''Method overriding''', in [[object oriented programming]], is a language feature that allows a [[Subclass (computer science)|subclass]] or child class to provide a specific implementation of a [[Method (computer science)|method]] that is already provided by one of its [[Superclass (computer science)|superclasses]] or parent classes.

== Description ==

The implementation in the subclass overrides (replaces) the implementation in the superclass by providing a method that has same name, same [[Parameter (computer science)|parameters]] or signature, and same return type as the method in the parent class.

The version of a [[Method (computer science)|method]] that is executed will be determined by the [[Object (computer science)|object]] that is used to invoke it.

If an object of a parent class is used to invoke the method, then the version in the parent class will be executed, but if an object of the subclass is used to invoke the method, then the version in the child class will be executed

Some [[programming languages]] allow a [[computer programmer]] to prevent a method from being overridden.

== See also ==

* [[Implementation inheritance]]
* [[Inheritance semantics]]
* [[Method overloading]]
* [[Object oriented programming]]
* [[Polymorphism in object-oriented programming]]
* [[Template method pattern]]
* [[Virtual inheritance]]

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_overriding Method overriding] @ wiki.karljones.com


[[Category:Computer science]]
[[Category:Software engineering]]