equals() method is not working with string

Question

I have a string

number="(1234)5678";

But the if block is not executed:

if("(".equals(number.charAt(0))) { System.out.println("IFFF"); } else { System.out.println("OUT"); }

How do I change the boolean expression to execute the if block?

in your case you could use the startsWith() method of String which might be easier to understand, what you are doing: docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/lang/… — Marco Forberg
– Marco Forberg, Commented May 15, 2013 at 7:26

jlordo · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-15 06:58:54Z

charAt() returns a char. Comparing char and String with .equals() will always return false.

You'll need

 if('(' == number.charAt(0))

Michal Borek · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-15 06:59:01Z

That is because charAt(..) returns char not String. And one of if-clauses in equals in String class is:

 if (anObject instanceof String) { ... }

Parmanand · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-15 07:11:09Z

you can try following code:

if(number.startsWith("(", 0)) { System.out.println("IFFF"); } else { System.out.println("OUT"); }

Parmanand · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-15 07:15:23Z

0

Or you can put: if(number.charAt(0)=='(')

answered May 15, 2013 at 7:15

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Comments

anjaly · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-15 07:26:36Z

The charAt() function always returns char..equals() is used for comparing strings.

Characters are primitives, you can compare them with the "==" operator.

 String number="(1234)5678"; if('(' == number.charAt(0)) { System.out.println("IFFF"); } else { System.out.println("OUT"); }