Question

Write a program that has an overloaded method. The first method should accept no arguments, the second method will accept one string and the third method should display the message. "Welcome to java" once. The second method should display the message "Welcome to polymorphism" twice and the third method should display the message "Welcome to overloading" three times.

Short answer

Create three methods with the name 'displayMessage': one with no arguments, one with a string argument, and one with an integer argument. Each method prints messages according to the problem statement.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Method Overloading

Method overloading in programming allows for multiple methods with the same name but different parameters within the same class. These methods can perform similar or related actions. Here, we'll create three methods named 'displayMessage' with varying parameters: one with no parameters, one with a single string parameter, and one with no parameters but different functionality.

Define the First Method

The first overloaded method, 'displayMessage()', takes no arguments. In this method, display the message 'Welcome to java' once on the console.

Define the Second Method

The second overloaded method, 'displayMessage(String message)', accepts a single string parameter. In this method, print the message 'Welcome to polymorphism' twice on the console. The parameter is unused here but differentiates method signatures.

Define the Third Method

The third overloaded method, 'displayMessage(int frequency)', accepts an integer parameter which is ignored. This method prints 'Welcome to overloading' three times on the console. The parameter ensures a distinct method signature.

Implement the Program

Create a class named 'MessagePrinter'. Implement the three 'displayMessage' methods as described. In the main method of the class, call each method to see their respective outputs.

Key concepts

Polymorphism

Polymorphism is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming. It refers to the ability of a single interface to represent different underlying forms (data types). In simpler terms, polymorphism allows methods to do different things based on the object they are acting upon. This is achieved through method overloading and method overriding.

Method overloading, as used in our exercise, involves defining multiple methods with the same name but different signatures. The Java compiler determines which method to execute based on the parameter list. It allows:

• Improvement in code readability by using descriptive method names for similar actions.
• Execution of similar yet distinct behaviors through a unified method name.

In our example, polymorphism is demonstrated by the various signatures of 'displayMessage'. Though they share the same name, their differing parameters help decide which one to invoke, showcasing this powerful feature of Java.

Java Programming

Java is a versatile and widely-used programming language, known for its object-oriented capabilities. It was designed to have minimal implementation dependencies, making it ideal for various platforms, hence the popular phrase, "Write once, run anywhere."

Java provides a structured and comprehensive framework through its class-based structure. For example, we are using a 'MessagePrinter' class to house our methods. This not only promotes encapsulation—bundling data with code—but also facilitates reusability by enabling you to create objects that can perform related functions.

Key features of Java programming include:

• Platform independence due to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
• Robust and secure language constructs.
• Strong memory management.
• Support for multithreading for better performance.

In our exercise, Java's simple syntax and support for method overloading are highlighted, which are part of its strength as a programming language.

Display Methods

Display methods, especially in programming, are used to convey messages or information to the user during the execution of a program. They play a crucial role in user interaction and debugging, by presenting outputs or status updates from running code.

In the given exercise, three variants of a display method are used:

• The first method prints 'Welcome to java', demonstrating a basic "no argument" approach.
• The second method, although accepting a string parameter, prints 'Welcome to polymorphism' twice, showcasing overloading by parameter count.
• The third method accepts an integer, printing 'Welcome to overloading' three times, further diversifying method functionality through varying parameter types.

This approach clearly illustrates how display methods, shaped by their parameters, can deliver specific messages repeatedly, aiding in both user communication and program testing. The concept of method overloading ensures these variations can exist harmoniously within a single class.