== Vs. .equals(): Know What is the Difference Between == and .equals() method
The major difference between the == operator and .equals() method is that one is an operator, and the other is the method. Both these == operators and equals() are used to compare objects to mark equality. Let’s analyze the difference between the == and .equals() method in Java.
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What is == in Java?
== is an operator that compares the memory or reference location of an object in the heap.
What is the .equal() Method in Java?
.equal() is a method that compares the actual content of the object.
Difference between == and .equals() method in Java
| S.No. | == Operator | Equals() Method |
| 1. | == is considered an operator in Java. | Equals() is considered as a method in Java. |
| 2. | It is majorly used to compare the reference values and objects. | It is used to compare the actual content of the object. |
| 3. | We can use the == operator with objects and primitives. | We cannot use the equals method with primitives. |
| 4. | The == operator can’t compare conflicting objects, so at that time the compiler surrenders the compile-time error. | The equals() method can compare conflicting objects utilizing the equals() method and returns “false”. |
| 5. | == operator cannot be overridden. | Equals() method and can be overridden. |
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