Function Overloading in Python

 

Function Overloading in Python

In many languages like C++ or Java, function overloading allows multiple functions with the same name but different parameters (type or number). But Python does not support traditional function overloading.

Instead, Python uses default arguments, variable arguments (*args, **kwargs), and type checking inside functions to achieve similar behavior.

Simulating Function Overloading in Python

✅ 1. Using Default Arguments:

def greet(name="Guest"):
    print(f"Hello, {name}!")

greet("Alice")  # Output: Hello, Alice!
greet()         # Output: Hello, Guest!

Here, the same function works with or without an argument.

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✅ 2. Using *args (Variable number of arguments):

def add(*numbers):
    total = 0
    for n in numbers:
        total += n
    print(f"Sum: {total}")

add(2, 3)           # Output: Sum: 5
add(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)  # Output: Sum: 15

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✅ 3. Using type checking inside the function:

def area(a, b=None):
    if b is None:
        print(f"Area of square: {a * a}")
    else:
        print(f"Area of rectangle: {a * b}")

area(5)       # Output: Area of square: 25
area(5, 10)   # Output: Area of rectangle: 50