How do I covert on object into string

[Gopu Akraju]

I have a Map with object(class) as key and value pair.

I am trying to print them as follows:

Map test = this.getAnn();
                Iterator it = test.entrySet().iterator();
                while (it.hasNext()) {
                    Map.Entry pairs = (Map.Entry)it.next();
                    System.out.println(pairs.getKey().toString() + " = " + pairs.getValue().toString());
                }

Ann is a map as below:

public Map<AnnType,Ann> getAnn() {
 
        return this.annotation;
    }

Whne I try to print the key and value pair, using toString() {pairs.getKey().toString() and pairs.getValue().toString()}, I am not able to print them as it prints as below:

user.data.AnnType@4c8b04f9 = user.data.AnnClob@44e490

How do I convert the ojects into string to print? Thnaks.

[Sagar Rohankar]

You need to override toString() method in your AnnType and Ann class, by default the Object#toString() method returns hash code !!
like this

 return  getClass().getName() + '@' + Integer.toHexString(hashCode());
  

[Gopu Akraju]

Thanks Sagar.

I tried as below in both the classes:

public String toString() {
        return  getClass().getName() + '@' + Integer.toHexString(hashCode());
    }

But I still get the same output as I mentioned earlier.

user.data.AnnType@4c8b04f9 = user.data.AnnClob@44e490

[Sagar Rohankar]

The main intention behind overriding Object#toString() , method in your class is to print some meaningful data , explaining your class ,

eg,
This may be the implementation of your Ann class

  class Ann
{
         int a;
         .       // other instance varible definations,
 
         .
         String strEnplaningAnnClass; // this string objects holds the data 
 
                          //that you want to display , when objects get 
 
                          //print.
 
        public String toString()
        {
                   return strEnplaningAnnClass;
         }
 
   

So whenever you print object , tou endup calling Ann#toString() method ;

 
    public String toString() {
            return  getClass().getName() + '@' + Integer.toHexString(hashCode());
        }
 

And this code you implemented is the default code of Object#toString() method

Hope this clarifies
[ July 08, 2008: Message edited by: Sagar Rohankar ]