How Can Java Classes Handle Method Signature Conflicts When Implementing Multiple Interfaces?

Overcoming Method Signature Collisions in Java Interface Implementations

In situations where two distinct interfaces share method signatures, implementing both interfaces in a single class can present a challenge, as Java does not allow multiple implementations of the same method.

Conventional Approach: Method Overriding

Java typically resolves method signature collisions through method overriding. If a subclass defines a method with the same signature as its parent class, the subclass's method replaces the parent's. However, this approach is not suitable when implementing distinct interfaces.

Alternative Solution: Composition

Java offers an alternative solution through composition. Instead of implementing both interfaces directly, create a class that delegates to separate classes implementing each interface.

interface ISomething {
    void doSomething();
}

interface ISomething2 {
    void doSomething();
}

class Class1 implements ISomething {
    @Override
    public void doSomething() {}
}

class Class2 implements ISomething2 {
    @Override
    public void doSomething() {}
}

class CompositeClass {
    Class1 class1;
    Class2 class2;
    
    void doSomething1() { class1.doSomething(); }
    void doSomething2() { class2.doSomething(); }
}

In this example, CompositeClass composes Class1 and Class2, implementing both ISomething and ISomething2 without explicitly defining duplicate methods. The doSomething1 and doSomething2 methods delegate to the respective classes, maintaining the desired behavior.

This approach effectively resolves method signature collisions by allowing the implementation of distinct interfaces in a single class without the complexities of method overriding or conditional logic.

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