What is a method signature? [duplicate]

问题:

This question already has an answer here:

• Definition of a method signature? 7 answers

I read a book titled 'Object First with Java' and in page 7 the author mentioned that the method signature "provides information needed to invoke that method". And the the author gave the following example:

void moveHorizontal(int distance)

However, today when I was watching a video about C# on Pluralsight, the author said that "the return type of a method is not part of the method signature".

I'm confused now and would like know what is a method signature?

回答1:

A method-signature is the part of the method based on which you overload / override it. It contains :

1. The method name.
2. The arguments passed to it.

It doesn't contain :

1. Scope / access modifier
2. return type.

回答2:

Method signature is used in interfaces and in abstract classes, but we always define the method data type(return type). It will be something invaluable if the return type is not a part of the signature.