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Java

Posted by Erlend Birketvedt
Erlend Birketvedt
1,217 Points

Why can't I use: if (firstExample = (secondExample)) on the first task?

Hi,

I had to use the forums to solve this, and I have solved it now, but when I tried to do it myself, I wrote this code:

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

That was clearly wrong, but can someone explain to me the difference between equals and =?

Brian Pedigo
Brian Pedigo
26,786 Points
Brian Pedigo
Brian Pedigo
26,786 Points

A single equal sign actually sets the variable, it doesn't check for equality.

2 Answers

Ken Alger
STAFF
Ken Alger
Treehouse Teacher
Ken Alger
Ken Alger
Treehouse Teacher

Erlend;

Welcome to Treehouse!

In Java == is a reference comparison, i.e. both objects point to the same memory location. equals() evaluates to the comparison of values in the objects. That is a rather simplified overview of it, but in general equals() is the better option when comparing string objects.

Happy coding,
Ken

Erlend Birketvedt
Erlend Birketvedt
1,217 Points

Thank you very much, just what I was looking for

Erlend Birketvedt
Erlend Birketvedt
1,217 Points
Erlend Birketvedt
Erlend Birketvedt
1,217 Points

Ahh, but of course. Could I have used ==?