What does "overload" mean in programming?

overload is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.

Definition

To define multiple versions of a method or function with the same name but different parameter types or counts. The language picks the right version based on what arguments are passed. TypeScript supports function overloads.

Example

"Overload the parse function so it accepts both a string and a Buffer."

Word forms

Form	Type	Meaning	Example
overload	verb (infinitive)	To define multiple versions of a method with different parameter lists	"Overload the format function to accept either a string or a number."
overloaded	past participle	Having multiple implementations with different signatures	"The constructor is overloaded to accept either an id or a full user object."
overloading	gerund	Defining multiple versions of a method with different signatures	"Overloading improves usability by letting callers pass different types."

Related terms

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