How Does Java Handle Method Name Collisions When Implementing Multiple Interfaces?

Java Interface Implementation and Method Name Collisions

When implementing multiple interfaces in Java, it's possible to encounter method name collisions. This occurs when interfaces with different purposes define methods with the same signature. Unlike C# where explicit interface implementation allows for multiple implementations of the same method, Java does not provide a similar mechanism.

Reasoning for Java's Restriction

Java prohibits multiple implementations of the same method to prevent potential ambiguity and confusion. This ensures that a method call always invokes the same underlying implementation regardless of the calling interface.

Example

Consider the following code:

interface ISomething {
    void doSomething();
}

interface ISomething2 {
    void doSomething();
}

class Impl implements ISomething, ISomething2 {
   void doSomething() {} // Java only allows one implementation of this method.
}

In this example, there is no way to define two separate implementations of the doSomething() method in the Impl class for each interface.

Workaround

If you require distinct behavior based on the calling interface, consider using a compositional approach by creating a composite class that delegates to individual classes that implement specific interfaces:

class CompositeClass {
    ISomething class1;
    ISomething2 class2;
    void doSomething1(){class1.doSomething();}
    void doSomething2(){class2.doSomething();}
}

In this solution, the CompositeClass provides a facade for implementing both interfaces while delegating to separate classes for specific method implementations.

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