Overload or Override..How??

[Ajay Divakaran]

If im correct, we can't overload based only on return type. But the example from K&B shows that it is possible and it is said to be an OVERRIDE !
How is it possible an overriden method having different return types ??
referring to the
getRental method in both classes

class Rental
{
private List rentalPool;
private int maxNum;
public Rental( int maxNum, List rentalPool )
{
this.maxNum = maxNum;
this.rentalPool = rentalPool;
}
public Object getRental()
{
return rentalPool.get(0);
}
}
class CarRental extends Rental
{
public CarRental( int maxNum, List<Car> rentalPool )
{
super( maxNum, rentalPool );
}
public Car getRental() // how can it be an override ??
{
return (Car)super.getRental();
}
}

[Anonymous]

Hi Ajay,

The method getRental() is overriding only as it satisfies the contract.

1) getRental() is inherited
2) The over riding method has same arguements as that of Overriden method (In our case no arguements at all)
3) return type satisfies IS-A relation. Car extends Object.

Because of the above three reasons, getRental() is over riden not Overloading.

For Overloading, minimum requirement is the arguement list. Arguements should not be same .

[Ajay Divakaran]

Oh!! I forgot.
its called covariant return type
thank You!