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Java Java Basics Perfecting the Prototype String Equality

Posted by Charles Rotenberg
Charles Rotenberg
736 Points

I can't tell what is wrong with my code. The syntax says there is something wrong with my if statement line.

Thanks for helping.

Equality.java 
// I have imported a java.io.Console for you, it is named console. 
if (firstExample.equals("secondExample"));{
  console.printf("first is equal to second");
}
String firstExample = "hello";
String secondExample = "hello";
String thirdExample = "HELLO";

2 Answers

Steve Hunter
Steve Hunter
57,712 Points

Hi Charles,

A couple of things amiss there.

First, you've used variable names before they've been declared so you need to move your if statement below the definitions.

Next, you've put secondExample inside of double-quotes. That makes it a string like "Steve" or "Wednesday" - to use the value stored inside the variable named secondExample, skip the quotes.

I think that should see you fine. Else shout back!

Steve.

Steve Hunter
Steve Hunter
57,712 Points

There's a rogue semi-colon in there too:

So to pick up where Stone Preston left off:

String firstExample = "hello";
String secondExample = "hello";
String thirdExample = "HELLO";

if (firstExample.equals(secondExample));{  // <-- omit the semi-colon and the double quotes
  console.printf("first is equal to second");
}

I hope that helps.

Steve.

Charles Rotenberg
Charles Rotenberg
736 Points

Thanks for the help!

Steve Hunter
Steve Hunter
57,712 Points

No problem - I hope it all worked for you.

Steve.

Stone Preston
Stone Preston
42,016 Points
Stone Preston
Stone Preston
42,016 Points

you need to put the if statement AFTER the strings are created and change the string literal in the equals method to the secondExample variable name

// 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");
}