how can I get the type of the object ?

[Meir Yan]

hello
if I have some variable and I like to know what is the stype of this variable
if there any "typeOf" method that gives me that info?

[Richard Green]

getClass()

[Jesper de Jong]

You can use getClass() to get the java.lang.Class object that represents the type of the object.

public void myMethod(Object obj) {
    Class cls = obj.getClass();
    System.out.println("The type of the object is: " + cls.getName());
}

If you just want to know if an object is an instance of or extends a certain class, or implements a certain interface, you can use the instanceof keyword.

public void myMethod(Object obj) {
    if (obj instanceof String) {
        System.out.println("It's a String");
    }
    else {
        System.out.println("It's not a String");
    }
}

[Peter Chase]

The above answers (suggesting getClass() and instanceof) are quite correct.

But, as this is the beginner forum, I thought I'd add a comment on use and misuse of these features.

Java is an object-oriented language (some would say not 100% so, but...). One therefore has powerful features like polymorphism available, to make objects of different types behave differently when sent the same message (method call). One should use those object-oriented features as much as possible.

It is usually bad practice to write code that conditionalises (if, switch etc.) on the type of an object. As much as possible, this should be replaced by something more object-oriented.

It's not a hard-and-fast rule. Although some Ranchers may disagree, I favour pragmatism. If a particular problem can be solved much quicker by using instanceof than by refactoring to use polymorphism, then it may be OK to use instanceof. But don't get too much into the habit.

If you were thinking of using getClass() or instanceof in an "if" or "switch" statement, you should probably go back and revisit your design.