Function overloading is a powerful feature in C++ that allows us to define multiple functions with the same name, as long as their parameters differ in type, number, or order. This makes our code more readable and flexible, especially when we want the same function name to behave differently based on the input type.
In this task, we explored how function overloading works and how it helps in achieving polymorphism — one of the core principles of object-oriented programming.
We wrote and executed a simple C++ program to demonstrate how function overloading allows us to use the same function name to perform different operations depending on the type of input.
CODE:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
// Overloaded functions
void display(int value) {
cout << “Integer value: ” << value << endl;
}
void display(double value) {
cout << “Double value: ” << value << endl;
}
void display(string value) {
cout << “String value: ” << value << endl;
}
int main() {
display(10); // Calls the version with int
display(3.14); // Calls the version with double
display(“Hello C++”); // Calls the version with string
return 0;
}
EXPECTED OUTPUT:
Integer value: 10
Double value: 3.14
String value: Hello C++
What We Learned
Function overloading allows us to create multiple versions of a function under the same name. The compiler determines which version to run based on the arguments we pass. In this case:
-
Passing an integer called the
display(int)version. -
Passing a double triggered the
display(double)version. -
Passing a string used
display(string).
This improves code readability and keeps related functionality grouped under one function name instead of creating multiple different names, like displayInt, displayDouble, and so on.
Conclusion
This task helped us understand the concept of compile-time polymorphism through function overloading in C++. Writing and running the overloaded functions on our machine clarified how the compiler picks the correct function based on argument type. This concept is widely used in real-world applications where functions need to behave differently with different types of inputs but maintain a consistent name.