In object-oriented programming, what does overriding a method mean?

In object-oriented programming, what does overriding a method mean?

• A. redefining a method in a subclass
• B. declaring a new method in the base class
• C. calling a method from the superclass
• D. overloading a method in the same class

Answer: (A)

Overriding a method is about giving a subclass its own version of a method that already exists in its parent. When the subclass defines a method with the same name and parameters as one in the superclass, the subclass’s version is used for instances of that subclass. This lets objects behave differently even though they share the same interface, enabling polymorphism. That’s why redefining a method in a subclass is the best description. Declaring a new method in the base class doesn’t replace anything inherited by the subclass. Calling a method from the superclass uses the inherited behavior without change. Overloading a method in the same class means having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters, which is a different mechanism than overriding.

Overriding a method is about giving a subclass its own version of a method that already exists in its parent. When the subclass defines a method with the same name and parameters as one in the superclass, the subclass’s version is used for instances of that subclass. This lets objects behave differently even though they share the same interface, enabling polymorphism.

That’s why redefining a method in a subclass is the best description. Declaring a new method in the base class doesn’t replace anything inherited by the subclass. Calling a method from the superclass uses the inherited behavior without change. Overloading a method in the same class means having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters, which is a different mechanism than overriding.