What is the difference between == and .equals() in Java collections?

What is the difference between == and .equals() in Java collections?

In Java, '==' checks for reference equality, while '.equals()' checks for value equality. This is crucial in collections.

Can you give an example of when to use .equals()?

Sure! When comparing two String objects in a List, use .equals() to check if their contents are the same.

What happens if I use == on two different String objects with the same value?

Using '==' would return false, as it checks if both references point to the same object, not their values.

Are there any exceptions to this rule?

Yes, for example, String interning can lead to two String objects with the same value being the same reference.