# Use equals() on Primitive Objects
# Description
This rule replaces the infix operators "==" and "!=" with equals() when used on primitive objects. The following types are considered primitive:
- java.lang.Byte
- java.lang.Char
- java.lang.Short
- java.lang.Integer
- java.lang.Long
- java.lang.float
- java.lang.Double
- java.lang.Boolean
- java.lang.String
# Benefits
If the equals method was overwritten on the instances being compared the == has a different meaning than using equals. This may lead to programming errors. Applying this rule means keeping with the coding conventions and thus helps avoid errors.
# Tags
# Code Changes
Pre
Integer a = new Integer(1);
Integer b = new Integer(2);
if (a == b) {
}
if (a != b) {
}
Post
Integer a = new Integer(1);
Integer b = new Integer(2);
if (a.equals(b)) {
}
if (!a.equals(b)) {
}
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# Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rule ID | PrimitiveObjectUseEquals |
| First seen in jSparrow version | 2.2.0 |
| Minimum Java version | 1.1 |
| Remediation cost | 2 min |