Method Overloading in C#: Defining Multiple Methods with the Same Name

Learn about method overloading in C#—defining multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. This guide explains the rules of method overloading, its benefits (improved code readability and organization), and provides examples illustrating its use.

Method Overloading in C#

Method overloading in C# allows you to define multiple methods with the same name but different parameters (either a different number of parameters or parameters of different types). This improves code readability and organization.

What is Method Overloading?

Method overloading means having multiple methods with the same name but differing in either the number or types of their parameters. The compiler determines which method to call based on the arguments provided.

Advantages of Method Overloading

The main benefit of method overloading is improved code readability. Instead of creating methods with different names for similar operations, you can use a single, descriptive name with varied parameters.

Overloading Methods: Number of Arguments

You can overload a method by changing the number of parameters.

public class MyClass {
    public int Add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }
    public int Add(int a, int b, int c) { return a + b + c; }
}

Overloading Methods: Data Type of Arguments

You can also overload a method by changing the data types of its parameters:

public class MyClass {
    public int Add(int a, int b) { return a + b; }
    public double Add(double a, double b) { return a + b; }
}

What Can Be Overloaded?

In C#, you can overload methods, constructors, and indexers. These are the only members that take parameters.