Function Overloading

Function Overloading

C++ allows multiple functions with the same name as long as they have different parameter types or counts. The compiler picks the right version based on the arguments you pass.

Defining Overloads

void print(int x) {
    cout << "int: " << x << endl;
}

void print(double x) {
    cout << "double: " << x << endl;
}

void print(string x) {
    cout << "string: " << x << endl;
}

Calling print(42), print(3.14), or print("hello") automatically selects the matching version.

Why Overloading?

Without overloading (C style), you'd need different names:

void print_int(int x);
void print_double(double x);
void print_string(char* x);

Overloading lets you write natural, readable code with one name that works for many types.

Different Parameter Counts

You can also overload by varying the number of parameters:

int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

int add(int a, int b, int c) {
    return a + b + c;
}

cout << add(1, 2) << endl;     // 3
cout << add(1, 2, 3) << endl;  // 6

Rules

• The return type alone cannot distinguish overloads
• Parameters must differ in type, count, or order

// This is INVALID — same parameters, different return type:
// int foo(int x);
// double foo(int x);  // error

Your Task

Create three overloaded print functions:

• print(int x) — prints int: <value>
• print(double x) — prints double: <value>
• print(string x) — prints string: <value>

Then call them with 42, 3.14, and "hello".