toString() method

the toString() is a method originally defined by the Object class.

The Object class is the mother of all objects in java i.e every class in the java api extends the Object class.

some subclasses of the Object Class have overridden the toString() method to suit their own output.

user defined classes automatically extends the Object class but do not override the toString() method automatically.

You have to explicitly override the toString() when u define your own class.

e.g

// what u define public class ToStringTest {

  public ToStringTest () {
   }

}

// whats happening behind the scene public class ToStringTest extends Object {

  public ToStringTest () {
   }

}

so if u check your ToStringTest class toString() method in the java main() {}

e.g ToStringTest test = new ToStringTest();

System.out.println(test.toString());

// OUTPUT com.example.ToStringTest@2f0e140b

u will get an output of the package name . ClassName . and a unique object identifier -> @2f0e140b // note this identifier is not the same for all objects instantiated from the ToStringTestClass

to get a human readable text that suits your need, you need to explicitly override the toString() method in your class.

e.g { // somewhere inside your class @override public String toString () { return "overridden toString() method from the ToStringTest class"; }

HOPE THIS HELPS