What is method overriding in JavaScript?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• 1. Understanding Method Overriding
  • Example
• 2. Benefits of Method Overriding
• 3. Using super in Overridden Methods
  • Example
• Conclusion

Introduction

Method overriding is a fundamental concept in object-oriented programming (OOP), including JavaScript. It allows a subclass to provide a specific implementation of a method that is already defined in its parent class. This feature enhances code flexibility and allows developers to tailor functionalities for specific use cases while maintaining a consistent interface. In this guide, we will explore method overriding in JavaScript, along with practical examples to illustrate its usage.

1. Understanding Method Overriding

When a subclass inherits from a parent class, it can override methods defined in the parent class. This means that the subclass can provide its own implementation of the method, which will be executed instead of the parent's implementation when the method is called on an instance of the subclass.

Example

In this example, the Dog class overrides the makeSound method of the Animal class, providing a specific implementation that outputs "Bark".

2. Benefits of Method Overriding

• Customization: Method overriding allows subclasses to customize behavior without altering the parent class. This is useful for creating specific functionalities while maintaining a common interface.
• Polymorphism: It enables polymorphism, allowing objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass, facilitating code reusability.
• Cleaner Code: Method overriding can lead to cleaner and more organized code, as it separates general functionality from specific implementations.

3. Using super in Overridden Methods

When overriding a method, you might still want to access the parent class's implementation. You can achieve this using the super keyword.

Example

In this example, the Cat class overrides the makeSound method and also calls the parent class's implementation, resulting in both outputs.

Conclusion

Method overriding is a powerful feature in JavaScript that allows subclasses to provide specific implementations of methods defined in parent classes. It enhances the flexibility and reusability of code, enabling developers to customize behaviors without modifying existing class structures. Understanding method overriding is essential for effective object-oriented programming in JavaScript, making it easier to build scalable and maintainable applications.