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Java Java Data Structures - Retired Organizing Data Interfaces

Chandrakanth R
Chandrakanth R
2,540 Points
Posted by Chandrakanth R
Chandrakanth R
2,540 Points

Question on compareTo

I tried to run the command in java-repl and i get the corresponding output

java> "banana".compareTo("apple")
java.lang.Integer res0 = 1
java> "banana".compareTo("cranapple")
java.lang.Integer res1 = -1
java> "banana".compareTo("banaan")
java.lang.Integer res2 = 13
java> "banana".compareTo("banaana")
java.lang.Integer res3 = 13
java> "banana".compareTo("d")
java.lang.Integer res4 = -2
java> "banana".compareTo("e")
java.lang.Integer res5 = -3

but, according to the video, it is supposed to return values -1,0 and 1. Is this something different that is happening here or the way i typed the command is wrong?

1 Answer

Florian Tönjes
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Florian Tönjes
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 50,856 Points
Florian Tönjes
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Florian Tönjes
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 50,856 Points

Hi Chandrakanth,

from the Java docs:

The compareTo method returns a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as this object is less than, equal to, or greater than the specified object.

Kind Regards, Florian

Chandrakanth R
Chandrakanth R
2,540 Points
Chandrakanth R
Chandrakanth R
2,540 Points

Thank you for your time to reply, Floran

I understand what you are saying, but the code outputs 13 for "banana".compareTo("banaan") if you have noticed. Is it something that i am doing wrong?