Method hiding in Java occurs when a subclass defines a static method with the same name and parameters as a static method in its superclass. 1. It only applies to static methods, not instance methods. 2. The method call is determined by the reference type at compile time, not the object type at runtime. 3. Unlike overriding, it does not support runtime polymorphism. 4. It can be useful for changing class-level behavior across subclasses without instantiation. 5. Pitfalls include confusion with overriding and unexpected behavior if misused. 6. Hiding is invalid if applied to non-static methods, which results in overriding instead.
Method hiding in Java might sound a bit mysterious at first, but it’s actually a straightforward concept once you break it down. It happens when a subclass defines a static method with the same name and parameters as a static method in its superclass. Unlike method overriding (which applies to instance methods), this is called method hiding.

The key point here: only static methods can be hidden, not overridden. The decision about which method to call is made at compile time based on the reference type, not the object type.
How Does Method Hiding Work?
Let’s say you have a parent class Animal
and a child class Dog
. Both have a static method named speak()
.

class Animal { public static void speak() { System.out.println("Animal speaks"); } } class Dog extends Animal { public static void speak() { System.out.println("Dog barks"); } }
Now, if you run this code:
Animal myDog = new Dog(); myDog.speak(); // Output: Animal speaks
Even though the actual object is of type Dog
, the output is "Animal speaks" because the method is static, and Java uses the reference type (Animal
) to determine which version of the method to call.

This behavior is different from overriding instance methods, where the actual object type determines which method runs.
Why Use Method Hiding?
You might wonder why anyone would do this. One reason could be to provide a class-level behavior that changes depending on the subclass, but without creating an instance. For example:
- Utility classes with static helper methods.
- Factory patterns using static creation methods.
- Logging or configuration setup across different modules.
Still, method hiding should be used carefully — especially since it can confuse developers who expect polymorphic behavior like with regular method overriding.
Common Pitfalls and Best Practices
Here are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with method hiding:
- ? Always remember: reference type matters, not the object type.
- ? Avoid hiding if you're expecting runtime polymorphism.
- ? Consider renaming the method in the subclass if there's no need for the same name.
- ?? Don’t mix static and instance methods with the same name — this causes a compile-time error.
Also, hiding can make code harder to read, especially for someone unfamiliar with the concept. So, use it only when necessary and document it clearly.
When Is It Not Hiding?
If you try to "hide" a non-static method by redefining it in a subclass, what you’re actually doing is overriding it — not hiding. And then the object type decides which method gets called. That’s a big difference.
So, method hiding strictly applies to static methods, and overriding applies to instance methods.
That’s the core of method hiding in Java. It’s not complicated, but it’s easy to misuse or misunderstand. Just keep in mind how static methods behave, and you’ll avoid most issues.
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