Why Can\'t Functions Be Overloaded Based Solely on Return Types in Java and C ?

Ambiguity in Function Overloading with Varying Return Types

Why can't functions be overloaded solely based on return types in Java?

In Java, overloading a function requires changing the parameter list, not just the return type. This is because using the return type alone is insufficient for the compiler to disambiguate which function should be executed. Consider the following example:

<code class="java">public int foo() {...}
public float foo() {..}</code>

If the code calls foo() without specifying any parameters, the compiler cannot determine which function to invoke. Overloading with different return types would lead to such ambiguity.

Is this possible in C ?

No, overloading functions with different return types is not possible in C . C also follows a similar approach to Java, where overloading requires variations in the parameter list.

Rationale Behind the Restriction

The reason for this restriction is to ensure clear and predictable function overloading. By relying solely on the return type, the compiler would be forced to guess the intended function, which could lead to errors or unexpected behavior.

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