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Java Java Basics Perfecting the Prototype String Equality

Posted by elmckay
elmckay
207 Points

How to compare two strings whilst ignoring casing

I am currently stuck at a task 2 challenge asking me to add an if statement to check and compare 2 string variables whilst ignoring casing. If true, an output to the user should read ''first and third are the same ignoring case''

Please look at the last line in the code as this is where my error is. Not sure what I am doing wrong here but your help will be highly appreciated.

Thank you :)

Equality.java 
// 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("Frist is equal to second");}

if (firstExample == thirdExample.equalsIgnoreCase("hello")) {console.printf("first and third are the same ignoring case");}
Matthew Germeyer
Matthew Germeyer
12,374 Points

When comparing Strings for equality do you want to use == or .equals() ?
Google this and find a good StackOverflow answer, its a really important concept and will give you good insight into a lot about references.

Remember you dont need to retype the strings in your if statements, you already have a variable name for them right?

2 Answers

Matthew Germeyer
Matthew Germeyer
12,374 Points

Your code : if (firstExample == secondExample)

compares the memory reference not the actual value/content of the string. If you want to compare the actual strings for the same value you need to use .equals(). As I understand you always want to use .equals() when comparing strings.
I would suggest using if(firstExample.equals(secondExample)).

Your code : if (firstExample == thirdExample.equalsIgnoreCase("hello"))

Here we dont want to pass a new string to the equalsIgnoreCase method, just pass the the variable name for comparison. Again, dont use == with strings. You want something like if(firstExample.equalsIgnoreCase(thirdExample)).

elmckay
elmckay
207 Points

aahh.. orite! I see what you mean now, I was using the incorrect syntax to solve the problem in the first place. Thanks for the suggestion, It managed to make the program work now and I understand where I Went Wrong.

Thanks for your help.

elmckay
elmckay
207 Points
elmckay
elmckay
207 Points

Still not sure what I have done wrong. I have checked stack overflow for this but I cannot figure out

Matthew Germeyer
Matthew Germeyer
12,374 Points

No problem, happy coding!