Operator Overloading
TLDR: Operator overloading is a programming feature that allows developers to define custom behavior for standard operators (e.g., `+`, `-`, `*`) when applied to user-defined classes or objects. Supported in languages like CPP, Python, and Swift, operator overloading enables intuitive syntax for object operations, enhancing code readability and usability. It is widely used in scenarios like mathematical computations and custom data structures.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operator_overloading
In C++, operators can be overloaded by defining special functions using the `operator` keyword. For example, overloading the `+` operator for a `Vector` class might allow adding two vectors with the syntax `Vector v3 = v1 + v2;`. Similarly, comparison operators like `==` and `>` can be overloaded to compare object properties. While operator overloading is powerful, it must be used judiciously to avoid unexpected behavior and maintain the logical consistency of operations.
https://cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/classes2/
Languages like Python offer built-in support for operator overloading through special methods (e.g., `__add__`, `__eq__`), allowing objects to integrate seamlessly with existing operators. This feature is particularly useful for creating immutable objects, matrix computations, or custom numeric types. Proper implementation ensures that operator overloading improves functionality without compromising code clarity or introducing ambiguity.