🔹 Java: Methods Overriding vs. Hiding

🚀 Can we override a static method in Java?

No ❌ — static methods cannot be overridden, they are hidden.

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⚡ Example

class Parent {
    static void staticMethod() { System.out.println("Parent static"); }
    void instanceMethod() { System.out.println("Parent instance"); }
}

class Child extends Parent {
    static void staticMethod() { System.out.println("Child static"); } // hiding
    @Override
    void instanceMethod() { System.out.println("Child instance"); }   // overriding
}

public class Test {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Parent ref = new Child();
        ref.staticMethod();    // Parent static
        ref.instanceMethod();  // Child instance
    }
}

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✅ Key Takeaway

• Static methods → hidden (compile-time binding, decided by reference type).

• Instance methods → overridden (runtime polymorphism, decided by object type).

👉 Output:

Parent static
Child instance

🔑 Key Takeaway

Static methods are resolved at compile-time based on reference type (hiding), while instance methods are resolved at runtime based on actual object type (overriding), enabling true polymorphism.