Operator overloading concept in Kotlin - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Operator overloading concept

Define class with operator function

↓

Create objects of class

↓

Use operator symbol between objects

↓

Compiler calls operator function

↓

Return result of operation

↓

Use result in program

Operator overloading lets you use symbols like + or * with your own classes by defining special functions.

Execution Sample

Kotlin

data class Point(val x: Int, val y: Int) {
    operator fun plus(other: Point) = Point(x + other.x, y + other.y)
}

val p1 = Point(1, 2)
val p2 = Point(3, 4)
val p3 = p1 + p2

This code adds two Point objects using the + operator overloaded by the plus function.

Execution Table

Step	Action	Evaluation	Result
1	Create p1	Point(1, 2)	p1 = Point(1, 2)
2	Create p2	Point(3, 4)	p2 = Point(3, 4)
3	Evaluate p1 + p2	Calls p1.plus(p2)	Calls plus function
4	Inside plus function	x + other.x = 1 + 3, y + other.y = 2 + 4	Returns Point(4, 6)
5	Assign result to p3	p3 = Point(4, 6)	p3 = Point(4, 6)
6	End	No more operations	Execution stops

💡 No more operations to perform, program ends

Variable Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 1	After Step 2	After Step 5	Final
p1	undefined	Point(1, 2)	Point(1, 2)	Point(1, 2)	Point(1, 2)
p2	undefined	undefined	Point(3, 4)	Point(3, 4)	Point(3, 4)
p3	undefined	undefined	undefined	Point(4, 6)	Point(4, 6)

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does p1 + p2 call the plus function?

Because the plus function is marked with the operator keyword, Kotlin knows to use it when + is used between Point objects (see Step 3 in execution_table).

What happens if we don't define the plus operator function?

The + operator won't work with Point objects and will cause a compile error, since Kotlin doesn't know how to add them (no operator function called).

Does operator overloading change the meaning of + globally?

No, it only changes how + works for the specific class where you define the operator function (here, Point). Other types keep their usual + behavior.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what is the value of p3 after Step 5?

A Point(3, 4)

B Point(1, 2)

C Point(4, 6)

D undefined

💡 Hint

Check the 'Assign result to p3' row in execution_table where p3 is set to Point(4, 6).

At which step does the plus function actually compute the new Point?

A Step 3

B Step 4

C Step 2

D Step 5

💡 Hint

Look at Step 4 in execution_table where the plus function adds coordinates and returns Point(4, 6).

If we remove the operator keyword from the plus function, what happens when running p1 + p2?

A Compile error, + operator not recognized for Point

B It works the same, calling plus function

C Runtime error when adding points

D p1 and p2 are concatenated as strings

💡 Hint

Operator keyword tells Kotlin to use plus with +; without it, + is unknown for Point (see key_moments).

Concept Snapshot

Operator overloading in Kotlin lets you define how operators like + work with your classes.
Use the operator keyword before a function (e.g., operator fun plus(other: Type)).
When you use + between objects, Kotlin calls this function.
This makes your classes behave more naturally with operators.
Without operator keyword, operators won't work with your class.

Full Transcript

Operator overloading in Kotlin allows you to use standard operators like + with your own classes by defining special functions marked with the operator keyword. In the example, a Point class defines operator fun plus to add two points. When you write p1 + p2, Kotlin calls p1.plus(p2) behind the scenes, returning a new Point with summed coordinates. Variables p1 and p2 hold the original points, and p3 holds the result. This process is shown step-by-step in the execution table. Key points include that the operator keyword is necessary for Kotlin to recognize the function as an operator, and that operator overloading only affects the class where it is defined. Without it, using + on Point objects causes a compile error. This makes your classes easier and more natural to use with operators.