Overrides

An override is a mechanism by which a controlling component replaces or extends the behavior of an existing element. Overrides are common in software design to provide specialized behavior without altering the original component. They support customization, polymorphism, and the ability to adapt systems to different contexts.

In object-oriented programming, method overriding occurs when a subclass provides a new implementation of a method defined in a base class. The overriding method typically shares the same name, parameter list, and return type as the original, and may be annotated or declared as overriding to indicate intent. Some languages require explicit keywords; others permit it implicitly. Overriding is central to dynamic dispatch and polymorphism, enabling subclass-specific behavior while preserving a common interface.

In styling for the web, overrides arise through the cascade. When multiple CSS rules apply to the same element, the one with greater specificity, later source order, or higher priority (for example, via !important) wins. Overrides can also occur through inheritance, where properties propagate from parent elements. Understanding specificity and cascade rules is essential to predict which styles will apply.

In configuration and policy management, defaults are often overridden by user settings, environment variables, or higher-priority sources. Layered configurations, feature flags, and environment-specific files establish a precedence order that determines which values take effect. Overrides support flexible deployment and customization across environments.

Overriding supports flexibility and reuse but can introduce maintenance challenges and subtle bugs when the relationships between base and overriding components are unclear. Clear documentation, consistent naming, and testing help mitigate risks.