Early Binding: The binding which can be resolved at compile time by the compiler is known as static or early binding. Binding of all the static, private and final methods is done at compile-time. Example:
Java
public class NewClass { public static class superclass { static void print() { System.out.println("print in superclass."); } } public static class subclass extends superclass { static void print() { System.out.println("print in subclass."); } } public static void main(String[] args) { superclass A = new superclass(); superclass B = new subclass(); A.print(); B.print(); }} |
Output:
print in superclass. print in superclass.
Late binding: In the late binding or dynamic binding, the compiler doesn’t decide the method to be called. Overriding is a perfect example of dynamic binding. In overriding both parent and child classes have the same method. Example:
Java
public class NewClass { public static class superclass { void print() { System.out.println("print in superclass."); } } public static class subclass extends superclass { @Override void print() { System.out.println("print in subclass."); } } public static void main(String[] args) { superclass A = new superclass(); superclass B = new subclass(); A.print(); B.print(); }} |
Output:
print in superclass. print in subclass.
Difference table between early and late binding:
| Early Binding | Late Binding |
|---|---|
| It is a compile-time process | It is a run-time process |
| The method definition and method call are linked during the compile time. | The method definition and method call are linked during the run time. |
| Actual object is not used for binding. | Actual object is used for binding. |
| For example: Method overloading | For example: Method overriding |
| Program execution is faster | Program execution is slower |
