What is called when you define multiple methods with the same name but different functionality?

The term describing the practice of defining multiple methods with the same name but differing functionality is known as overloading. This occurs when a single method name is used to perform different tasks based on the parameters provided. Different method signatures, such as varying parameter types or counts, distinguish these methods, allowing the program to determine which method to execute based on the context in which it is called.

Overloading is beneficial in creating a more intuitive and readable codebase since developers can use the same method name for related functionalities without needing to come up with distinctly different names. This aligns with the principles of clarity and simplicity in programming, making it easier to manage and maintain the code.

The other options relate differently to method behavior in programming. Overriding involves redefining an inherited method in a subclass, which alters its functionality rather than creating multiple distinct methods. Encapsulation refers to the bundling of data and methods that operate on that data within a single unit or class, which does not pertain to method naming conventions directly. Thus, overloading is the correct term for this specific scenario.