What is method overloading, and when is it used?

Method overloading is a feature in programming that allows a class to have multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.

In more detail, method overloading is a concept in object-oriented programming where a class can have two or more methods of the same name, but with different parameters. The parameters can differ in number, type, or order. This is a way of implementing polymorphism, a key feature in object-oriented programming.

Method overloading is used when you want to perform similar actions but with different input parameters. For example, you might have a 'calculateArea' method in a 'Shape' class. This method could be overloaded to calculate the area of different shapes, such as circles, squares, or triangles, each requiring different parameters.

The Java compiler differentiates these methods through their method signatures. A method signature includes the method name and the parameter list. It's important to note that the return type is not part of the method signature, and thus, just changing the return type will not overload the method.

Method overloading not only improves the readability of the code but also provides a cleaner way to handle different data types with the same logic. It allows programmers to write code that is both easier to understand and more efficient.

In summary, method overloading is a powerful feature in object-oriented programming languages like Java, C++, and C#. It allows programmers to use the same method name for similar actions, making the code more intuitive and easier to read. It's a fundamental concept that every computer science student should understand and be able to use effectively.