Can a Non-Static Method Overload a Static Method?
Yes! A non-static method can overload a static method in the same class, as long as they have different parameter lists.
Key Points:
✅ Overloading is based on method signatures (same method name but different parameters).
✅ Since overloading is resolved at compile-time, it does not matter whether the method is static or non-static.
✅ Java allows both static and non-static methods to coexist with the same name in a class, as long as they have different parameters.
Example: Non-Static Method Overloading a Static Method
class OverloadingExample {
// Static method
static void display(String message) {
System.out.println("Static method: " + message);
}
// Non-static method with different parameters (Overloading)
void display(int number) {
System.out.println("Non-static method: " + number);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Calling the static method
OverloadingExample.display("Hello!");
// Calling the non-static method requires an instance
OverloadingExample obj = new OverloadingExample();
obj.display(42);
}
}
Output:
Static method: Hello!
Non-static method: 42
Explanation:
- The static method
display(String message)is resolved at compile-time. - The non-static method
display(int number)is also resolved at compile-time. - Both methods have different parameter lists, so method overloading is valid.
Can a Non-Static Method Override a Static Method?
❌ No! A non-static method cannot override a static method because overriding is based on runtime polymorphism, and static methods do not participate in runtime polymorphism.
Final Answer:
- ✅ Overloading: A non-static method can overload a static method (if it has a different parameter list).
- ❌ Overriding: A non-static method cannot override a static method.