==, why is it so ?

[Rajeev Ravindran]

hi all,
pls check this code
Byte b = new Byte("122");
String str = b.toString();
if(str == str)
System.out.println("str = " + str); // 1
if(b.toString() == b.toString())
System.out.println("==" );
else
System.out.println("not ==" ); // 2
// 1 and // 2 are getting printed..could anyone tell me the reason ??
thanks,
raj

[Thomas Paul]

Because an == comparison only works with Strings when they are in the String pool, not when they are created on the heap. the toString() method creates Strings on the heap. You need to do this:
b.toString().equals(b.toString())

[Kem Bro]

Hi Raj,
As you're dealing with Strings you should use the .equals(String s) method that the String class overrides from Object. This evaluates the String value.
Using == on the Strings returned returns false because they are different String objects, even though their hashCode() may be the same.
Check out this code:
[CODE]
String s1 = "Hello";
String s2 = "Hello";
String s3 = new String("Hello");
System.out.println( s1.hashCode() );
System.out.println( s2.hashCode() );
System.out.println( s3.hashCode() );
System.out.println( s1==s2 ); // s1 and s2 refer to the same object in the String pool
System.out.println( s1==s3 ); // s1 and s3 refer to different objects, new String created
System.out.println( s1.equals(s2) ); // compares value
System.out.println( s1.equals(s3) ); // compares value
[/ CODE]

Cheers,
Kem

[Rajeev Ravindran]

thanks Thomas
thanks Kem
raj

[Valentin Crettaz]

raj,
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