Method Overloading

Question

I'm confused with the whole method overloading concept. What exactly is it's purpose? I've watched the video about 5 times and I'm still lost. Also, my code doesn't seem to work like Craig's does.  
In the applyGuess method when he throws a new Exception, I'm confused on what we're returning. I don't understand why he created a new variable and put it in the return method.
 public boolean appylyGuess(String letters) {
    if (letters.length() == 0) {
      throw new IllegalArgumentException("No letter found");
    }
    return applyGuess(letters.charAt(0));
  }
And then I don't understand why he deleted the char guessInput line, and put the guessInput string into the isHit call. 
 do {
      System.out.print("Enter a letter:   ");
       String guessInput = scanner.nextLine();
  try {
    isHit = game.applyGuess(guessInput);
    isAcceptable = true;
  } catch(IllegalArgumentException iae) {
    System.out.printf("%s. Please try again. %n",
                      iae.getMessage());
  }
} while (!isAcceptable);
return isHit;
  }
I'm not even sure I'm using all of these terms correctly lol. I'm a complete beginner and I'm starting to get really lost, and frustrated. I never realized coding was so hard! I am determined though to learn this skill. Seems like a fun hobby. Any responses would be appreciated! Thanks!
I also don't know how to make that fancy screenshot of my workspace for better formatting

markmneimneh · Accepted Answer

Hello
Method overload allows you yuse same method name but with different signature.
Let try this (pseudo code):
public Myclass() {
  public String myMetod(){
return "hello"
}
  public String myMetod(){
return "Howdy"
}
}
This won't compile becouse you declaring same method twice.
Now let try this (pseudo code):
public Myclass() {
  public String myMetod(){
return "hello"
}
  public String myMetod(String firstname){
return "Howdy" + firstname
}
  public String myMetod(String firstname, String lastName){
return "Howdy" + firstname + " With last name " + last name;
}
}
As you can see, I am using same method name but with different implementations ... this is very useful when writing constructors for a class.   with oveloading, you can intialize instance of the class to fit your need.
If this answers your question, please mark the question as answered.
Thank you

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Jazz Jones

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Method Overloading

1 Answer

markmneimneh

markmneimneh