Equal method help

Question

are the steps for equal method always in this manner?check reference,then null, class,then class object...is it fixed?why most of the examples i found in the internet use similar steps

https://code.sololearn.com/c4N53fpRFu70/?ref=app

Answer 1

The order of reference or null check doesn't matter.
Although, you do need to do the null check before the class check, and you need to do a class check before a downcast. This is just to avoid errors.

Answer 2

Ya but you can simplify by just calling the super!

Answer 3

Because its the equals of two object but you can avoid those things!

Answer 4

We are giving our own interpretation of equality, that is what the steps are for.
If the two objects are equal with ==, then we know the equality of them is the same. If the Object is null, we know it is definitely not equal. Plus if we tried to downcast a null Object, we would get an exception.
etc..

Answer 5

i thought the use of overriding equal method is to give our own interpretation of equality?why does it still has to follow the series of steps?

Answer 6

thankyou so much u are so helpful