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Java Java Basics Perfecting the Prototype String Equality

Brandon Wash
PLUS
Brandon Wash
Courses Plus Student 1,186 Points
Posted by Brandon Wash
Brandon Wash
Courses Plus Student 1,186 Points

How to properly use if statement

Add an if statement that checks to see if firstExample is equal to secondExample. If it is, print out "first is equal to second".

Equality.java 
// I have imported a java.io.Console for you, it is named console. 
String firstExample = "hello";
if (first
String secondExample = "hello";
String thirdExample = "HELLO";

2 Answers

Logan R
Logan R
22,989 Points
Logan R
Logan R
22,989 Points

Java does not read Strings the same way it reads integers, doubles, floats, and so on. In an if statement where you are comparing an integer, you can simply use the ==.

if(5 == 1) {
    // Do something
}

With strings however, you must use the method called equals() or equalsIgnoreCase(). So in this case:

// I have imported a java.io.Console for you, it is named console. 
String firstExample = "hello";
String secondExample = "hello";
String thirdExample = "HELLO";

if(firstExample.equals(secondExample)) {
  console.printf("first is equal to second");
}

The equals method checks every character and sees if they are equal. Hello and hello would not be equal.

The equalsIgnoreCase method only checks to see if every character is the same, regardless of case. Hello and hello would be equal.

I hope this helps out. If you still don't understand, feel free to leave a comment :)

Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points
Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points

I addition to this great answer .equals() is used because Strings are objects. Objects are compared with the .equals method. == is used for primitive types.

primitive type example:

int five = 5;
int six = 6;

if (five == six){
    //this not will work
}

Object type example: Integer is a wrapper class for the primitive int type

Integer five = 5;
Integer six = 6;

if (five.equals(six){
    //this not will work
}

String type example:

String five = "five";
String six = "six";

if (five.equals(six){
    //this not will work
}

Goodluck, --Ricky

Craig Dennis
Craig Dennis
Treehouse Teacher
Craig Dennis
Craig Dennis
Treehouse Teacher

Also remember to use the equalsIgnoreCase method on the string.

Brandon Wash
PLUS
Brandon Wash
Courses Plus Student 1,186 Points
Brandon Wash
Brandon Wash
Courses Plus Student 1,186 Points

Thanks Craig I certainly appreciate the feedback. I am a early developer but very eager to learn. I want to code until I leave the planes of this Earth. I found it very interesting and it arouses my curiosity. Do you have any early advice for a young and determine developer such as myself?