Method Hiding

🧩 Method Hiding (in OOP)

Definition:

• Method hiding occurs when a static method in a subclass has the same name and signature as a static method in its parent class.

• Unlike method overriding, which involves instance methods and works with polymorphism, method hiding is resolved at compile-time because static methods are associated with the class, not the instance.

🔍 Key Points:

• Static methods belong to the class, not the object.

• Hiding a static method does not override the parent class's method in the same way as instance method overriding.

• The method call is determined by the reference type (not the object type) at compile time.

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Certainly! Here's the method hiding example in Python:

🐍 Method Hiding in Python

Copyclass A:
    @staticmethod
    def display():
        print("A's display")

class B(A):
    @staticmethod
    def display():
        print("B's display")

# Create an instance of class B
obj = B()
obj.display()  # Output: B's display

# Reference of type A, but object of type B
obj2 = A()
obj2.display()  # Output: A's display

🧐 Explanation:

• Both classes A and B have a static method called display().

• In class B, this static method hides the method in class A.

• When you call obj.display() from an object of type B, Python calls B's method, not A's method.

🔑 Key points:

• Method hiding occurs with static methods in Python, similar to Java.

• The method resolution happens based on the class that defines the method (not the object type).

• Unlike method overriding, method hiding happens at compile time, and the reference type decides which method is called.

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If you want to explore more or have any other questions on this, let me know!