function overloading, why is it done?

Code:

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 public SqlCommand GetCommand(string commandText, CommandType commandType, params SqlParameter[] parameters) {            SqlCommand cmd = new SqlCommand();
            cmd.Connection = GetConnection();
            cmd.CommandText = commandText;
            cmd.CommandType = commandType;
            foreach(SqlParameter p in parameters) {
                cmd.Parameters.Add(p);
            }
            return cmd;
        }


        public SqlCommand GetCommand(string commandText, params SqlParameter[] parameters) {
            return GetCommand(commandText, CommandType.StoredProcedure, parameters);
        }

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What? More words...

Function overloading can be used when the same function is needed with the same name but with different return types or parameter types.
When this need occurs is up to the programmer - and can generally be avoided by defining a separate function which achieves the same result as the original function.

Function is not however the same as operating overloading - which is a different beast entirely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by swgh

Function overloading can be used when the same function is needed with the same name but with different return types or parameter types.
When this need occurs is up to the programmer - and can generally be avoided by defining a separate function which achieves the same result as the original function.

Function is not however the same as operating overloading - which is a different beast entirely.

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Not quite, at least not in C based languages. You can't overload by return type, only by function signatures which does not include the return type.
It can be simulated sort of in both C and C++. It probably can in C# too. The question is why would you want to. That's probably indicative of a design fault.
Can you think of a groovy way to do this?

Code:

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ReturnType FuncThatCanReturnIntDoubleOrString(void);

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There's at least one way in C and 3 ways in C++ this can be accomplished. Can't say for C#. I'm a novice in .net world, never used it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hobbit

Can you think of a groovy way to do this?

Code:

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ReturnType FuncThatCanReturnIntDoubleOrString(void);

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There's at least one way in C and 3 ways in C++ this can be accomplished. Can't say for C#. I'm a novice in .net world, never used it.

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The "object" type can contain any reference or value type so...

Code:

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object FuncThatCanReturnIntDoubleOrString() { }

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Sure that'll work for C# I guess. I don't use C# and .net.

C doesn't have overloading at all, and C++ only allows overloading by parameter types and cv qualifiers. swgh said you could overload by return type, but that is not allowed. I said it can be simulated.

How would you simulate overloading by return value in C and C++?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hobbit

How would you simulate overloading by return value in C and C++?

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Use an output parameter? Use a special parameter to force the overload resolution? Use templates? Use implicit conversions via a wrapper class? Use a variant typed structure? Simulate your own "object" class?

The options, there are many. The big question is what makes the most sense for your program. :D