Understanding Method Overloading in Python
In this post, we will see how we can use method overloading in Python
What is method overloading?
It is a technique of using the same function name multiple times.
Example
Let's see method overloading in action.
# Func1
def add(a,b):
print(a+b)
# Func2
def add(a,b,c):
print(a+b+c)
# Uncommenting the below lines gives an error
# add(1,2)
add(1,2,3)
Output:
6
Python doesn't support method overloading by default. This means the function which is created at last will always override the previous definitions.
In above example, The add() with 3 arguments will override the add() with 2 arguments.
How we can use method overloading then?
To use the method overloading in Python, follow the below process.
- Install Multiple Dispatch Decorator
pip3 install multipledispatch
- Now you can use the decorator
from multipledispatch import dispatch
#passing one parameter
@dispatch(int,int)
def add(a,b):
print(a+b);
#passing two parameters
@dispatch(int,int,int)
def add(a,b,c):
print(a+b+c);
add(2,3) #this will output 5
add(2,3,4) # this will output 9