Java string equals() Method

Posted in Java Tutorial

Updated on Oct 30, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 104 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

In Java programming, strings are a fundamental data type, and comparing them is a common operation.

The equals() method is a critical tool in Java for comparing the content of two strings.

In this tutorial, we'll explore the usage and functionality of the equals() method in Java.

💡 Syntax

The signature of the equals() method is as follows:

Syntax

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public boolean equals(Object anotherObject);

This method compares the content of the current string with the content of the specified object.

📄 Example

Let's delve into an example to illustrate how the equals() method works.

StringEqualsExample.java

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public class StringEqualsExample {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    String str1 = "Hello, World!";
    String str2 = "Hello, World!";
    String str3 = "Hello, Java!";

    // Compare strings using equals()
    boolean result1 = str1.equals(str2);
    boolean result2 = str1.equals(str3);

    // Output the results
    System.out.println("Result 1: " + result1); // Output: true
    System.out.println("Result 2: " + result2); // Output: false
  }
}

💻 Output

Output

Result 1: true
Result 2: false

🧠 How the Program Works

In this example, the equals() method is used to compare two strings, "Hello, World!" and "Hello, Java!". The results are then printed.

↩️ Return Value

The equals() method returns true if the content of the strings is the same and false otherwise.

📚 Common Use Cases

The equals() method is commonly used when you need to check whether two strings have the same content. It's crucial in scenarios such as input validation, user authentication, and when working with collections of strings.

📝 Notes

The equals() method is case-sensitive. If you need a case-insensitive comparison, you can use the equalsIgnoreCase() method.
When overriding the equals() method in your custom classes, ensure that you follow the contract defined in the Object class.

🎢 Optimization

The equals() method is optimized for string comparison. However, for performance-critical applications or large-scale string processing, you may consider alternative approaches or explore specific optimizations based on your use case.

🎉 Conclusion

The equals() method in Java is a fundamental tool for comparing the content of strings. It provides a standardized and efficient way to perform this task, contributing to the reliability and robustness of your Java applications.

Feel free to experiment with different strings and explore the behavior of the equals() method in various scenarios. Happy coding!