Method ambiguity in C# occurs when the compiler cannot determine which method to call due to multiple methods having the same name but different parameters. This can happen in a few scenarios, such as:
- When two interfaces implemented by a class have a method with the same signature,
- When a class inherits from two classes (in languages that support multiple inheritance), and both parent classes have a method with the same name,
- When a class has two methods with the same name but different parameters,
Method ambiguity in C# results in a compile-time error, not a runtime error. This is because the C# compiler checks for method ambiguity during the compilation process and will not compile the code if it detects any ambiguity. This helps catch potential issues early in the development process, before the code is run. If the compiler cannot determine which method to call, it will throw a compile-time error. Therefore, any issues related to method ambiguity must be resolved before the code can be successfully compiled and run.
Example:
public class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
TestMethod(5);
}
static void TestMethod(int x, int y = 10)
{
Console.WriteLine("First Method");
}
static void TestMethod(int x)
{
Console.WriteLine("Second Method");
}
}
TestMethod(5), the C# compiler gets confused about whether to call TestMethod(int x, int y = 10) or TestMethod(int x). This is because both methods are valid for the call, and the compiler cannot decide which one is more appropriate. As a result, it will throw a compile-time error indicating that the call is ambiguous between the two methods.