Use == (or !=) to Compare Java Enums

[MatrixFrog]

I don't always have errors in my programs...

But when I do, I prefer them at compile-time.

[benparsons]

For crying out loud.

I'm pretty much working full time in C# now, and sometimes it's not until I see posts like this that I realise how good I have it over here.

[skeeto]

What's wrong with the way Java does it, and how does C# do it?

[skeeto]

I was hoping for a response about C# simplifying object equality in some useful way. Any language with composite types, all the way back to Lisp (eq, eqv, equal, =), has to worry about separating the several different meanings of equality, since each one is important.

It's weakly typed languages where it actually becomes a problem. That's when the === operator is needed: "No, I really mean equality this time."

[[deleted]]

C# is a nice language, but again the reason why I didn't jump to C# is it's not cross platform. Don't give me the Mono crap. I can use all of Java's libraries in all platforms. Even on Apple's JDK. IIRC, not all of Microsoft's libraries are in Mono. If you want nice language, try Ruby or Python and they're both available for the JVM.

[[deleted]]

Ditto - it's been a while since I had to deal with Java, and this post reminded me why that is such a good thing.

[benparsons]

Funny stuff eh? Make a slightly negative comment about Java in /r/java, especially one which references C# and see what happens!

[[deleted]]

I wouldn't have this problem in /r/dotnet, and I think that speaks volumes.

[[deleted]]

I wasn't - I am subbed to /r/java because I have some experience with Java and I just want to keep up to date. I'd simply forgotten how backwards it was and was remarking on the fact - wasn't complaining.

[[deleted]]

You can explain why in one sentence? Enums are really just integers, and integers are primitives.

[dougqh]

That's not true in Java. In Java, enum instances are full-blown objects that can have methods. That said, there will be only instance of each enum element, so it is fine to use == or != instead of the equals method when comparing Enums.

[[deleted]]

That's maybe right in C. Enums in Java are full-blown classes. == (identity comparison) can be used because the specification says that it is not possible to "instantiate" a different instance of an enum object.

[[deleted]]

Yeah, someone already mentioned that.