What is the difference between "overloading" and "overriding" methods in PHP?

Overloading in PHP refers to the ability to define multiple methods in a class with the same name but different parameters. Overriding, on the other hand, occurs when a subclass provides a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its superclass. Overloading allows for method polymorphism based on the number or type of parameters, while overriding enables a subclass to provide its own implementation of a method inherited from a superclass. 

class ParentClass {
    public function method($param) {
        echo "Parent method with parameter: $param";
    }
}

class ChildClass extends ParentClass {
    public function method($param) {
        echo "Child method with parameter: $param";
    }
}

$parent = new ParentClass();
$parent->method("test"); // Output: Parent method with parameter: test

$child = new ChildClass();
$child->method("test"); // Output: Child method with parameter: test

Keywords

overloading overriding methods PHP difference

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