Difference between Early and Late Binding in Java

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

Early Binding: The binding which can be resolved at compile time by the compiler is known as static or early binding. Binding of all the static, private and final methods is done at compile-time. Example:

Java

public class NewClass {
    public static class superclass {
        static void print()
        {
            System.out.println(&quot;print in superclass.&quot;);
        }
    }
    public static class subclass extends superclass {
        static void print()
        {
            System.out.println(&quot;print in subclass.&quot;);
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        superclass A = new superclass();
        superclass B = new subclass();
        A.print();
        B.print();
    }
}

Output:

print in superclass.
print in superclass.

Late binding: In the late binding or dynamic binding, the compiler doesn't decide the method to be called. Overriding is a perfect example of dynamic binding. In overriding both parent and child classes have the same method. Example:

Java

public class NewClass {
    public static class superclass {
        void print()
        {
            System.out.println(&quot;print in superclass.&quot;);
        }
    }

    public static class subclass extends superclass {
        @Override
        void print()
        {
            System.out.println(&quot;print in subclass.&quot;);
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        superclass A = new superclass();
        superclass B = new subclass();
        A.print();
        B.print();
    }
}

Output:

print in superclass.
print in subclass.

Difference table between early and late binding:

Early Binding	Late Binding
It is a compile-time process	It is a run-time process
The method definition and method call are linked during the compile time.	The method definition and method call are linked during the run time.
Actual object is not used for binding.	Actual object is used for binding.
For example: Method overloading	For example: Method overriding
Program execution is faster	Program execution is slower