Question

Is it required that overloaded methods have different return values, different parameter lists, or both?

Short answer

Answer: In order for methods to be considered overloaded, they need to have different parameter lists. They can have the same return values as long as their parameter lists are different.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Method Overloading

Method overloading is a programming concept that allows a class to have multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists. The parameter lists can differ in the number of parameters, data types of parameters, or the order of data types. This means, with method overloading, the compiler will decide which method to call based on the parameters provided during the method call.

Role of Return Values in Method Overloading

The return value of a method indicates the data type that the method will return after its execution. However, just changing the return value alone does not constitute method overloading. Two methods can have the same name and the same return value, but they must have different parameter lists to be considered overloaded.

Role of Parameter Lists in Method Overloading

In method overloading, the parameter list plays a crucial role. Different methods with the same name should have distinct parameter lists. The parameter lists can vary by the number of parameters, data types of parameters, or the order of data types. When a method is called, the compiler will decide which method to execute based on the provided parameters and their types.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not required for overloaded methods to have different return values to be considered overloaded. What matters is the difference in parameter lists. Overloaded methods can have the same return values as long as they have different parameter lists.