Yes, Java allows overloading of the main() method. Learn how it works, what gets executed at runtime, and how overloaded versions differ from the actual entry point.

Ramesh Fadatare

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Mar 24, 2025

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Introduction

Every Java program starts with this familiar line:

public static void main(String[] args)

This is the entry point for your Java application, which is called automatically by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). But here’s a common interview and beginner question:

Can we overload the main() method in Java?

The answer is Yes — you can overload the main() method just like any other method.

Let’s understand what it means, how it works, and what to expect.

🔁 What Does Overloading Mean?

Method overloading in Java means defining multiple methods with the same name but with different parameter types or counts.

Java determines which version to run based on the method’s signature.

So yes — even main() can be overloaded.

✅ The Actual Entry Point (Called by JVM)

public static void main(String[] args)

This is the version invoked automatically by the JVM when you run your program.

✅ Overloaded Versions (Called Manually)

You can define multiple main() methods with different parameters and call them manually from the actual main().

🔧 Example: Overloading main() Method

public class MainOverloadDemo {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Main method with String[] args");

        // Call overloaded versions manually
        main(10);
        main("Java");
        main(1, "Spring Boot");
    }

    public static void main(int number) {
        System.out.println("Overloaded main with int: " + number);
    }

    public static void main(String topic) {…