What is method overloading?

Method overloading is a programming concept that allows multiple methods within the same class to share the same name but differ in their parameters, which may include variations in the number of parameters, types of parameters, or both. This capability enhances code readability and usability, as it allows the same method to be used in different contexts, adapting its behavior based on the input it receives.

For example, if a class has a method called "add," it could be overloaded to handle both integer and float inputs or to accept a varying number of parameters. This flexibility enables developers to use intuitive method names while diversifying the functionality based on the provided arguments.

The concept significantly contrasts with other options, as extending classes refers to inheritance, defining methods with unique names emphasizes method differentiation rather than reusability, and overriding specifically pertains to changing the behavior of inherited methods rather than creating multiple versions of the same method within a class. Hence, method overloading specifically enables the same method name for varied functionality based on input parameters.