Can we override method in the same class?
In C#, you cannot technically "override" a method within the same class because the concept of method overriding involves providing a new implementation for a method in a derived class. However, you can create a new method in the same class with the same name as an existing method. This is often referred to as method "overloading" within the same class, where you provide multiple methods with the same name but different parameter lists.
If you attempt to override a method within the same class in C#, it won't be a true override in the sense of polymorphism, as method overriding involves providing a new implementation for a method in a derived class. Instead, if you declare a method with the override keyword within the same class, you might encounter a compilation error. The override keyword is used to indicate that you're providing a new implementation for a method that is inherited from a base class.
Here's an example of what would happen if you try to override a method within the same class:
using System;
class MyClass {
public virtual void MyMethod() {
Console.WriteLine("Base class method");
}
// This line will result in a compilation error
public override void MyMethod() {
Console.WriteLine("Overridden method in the same class");
}
}
class Program {
static void Main(string[] args) {
MyClass instance = new MyClass();
instance.MyMethod();
}
}
In this example, if you uncomment the line with the 'override' keyword, you would encounter a compilation error:
'void MyClass.MyMethod()': cannot override inherited member 'void MyClass.MyMethod()' because it is not marked virtual, abstract, or override
This error message indicates that you cannot use the 'override' keyword unless the method you're trying to 'override' is marked as 'virtual', 'abstract', or 'override'. Since the method you're trying to "override" is not marked as such, the compiler won't allow it.
In summary, you cannot truly override a method within the same class. If you want to provide different behavior for a method within the same class, you can create a new method with a different name or use method overloading, as shown in my previous response.