Can overridden methods differ in return type?

Question

Can overridden methods have different return types?

Answer 1

Overriding and Return Types, and Covariant Returns
the subclass must define a method that matches the inherited version exactly. Or, as of Java 5, you're allowed to change the return type in the

sample code

                                                                                                            class Alpha {
          Alpha doStuff(char c) {
                  return new Alpha();
              }
           }
             class Beta extends Alpha {
                    Beta doStuff(char c) { // legal override in Java 1.5
                    return new Beta();
                    }
             } } 

As of Java 5, this code will compile. If you were to attempt to compile this code with a 1.4 compiler will say attempting to use incompatible return type – sandeep1987 1 min ago