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Java Java Objects (Retired) Delivering the MVP Determining if It Is Solved

Determining if it is Wrong: End Video Question. ( > VS. != )

So, for the question at the end of the video I initially went with != between remainingTries and Zero, I got the answer wrong. Tried it with > and passed. Now, I over think things through and I find both to be acceptable answers, but I can not find a reason why != would be wrong to use. Or am I wrong? Just need someone else's perspective.

1 Answer

If you can guarantee that remainingTries will never be negative, then, yes, they would have the same effect.

Here's an example of what could go wrong with !=:

      int x = 5;
      while (x != 0) {
         System.out.println(x);
         x = x - 2;
      }

(x != 0) will cause an infinite loop, where (x > 0) would not.

Ah, I can see how that may be a problem down the road. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts. :)