String References as Parameters

Some methods require a parameter that is a reference to a String object. For example,

String stringA = "Random Jottings";
String stringB = "Lyrical Ballads";

if ( stringA.equals( stringB ) ) 
  System.out.println("They are equal.");
else
  System.out.println("They are different.");

The String referred to by stringA has an equals() method. That method is called with a parameter, a reference to stringB. The method checks if both strings contain identical characters, and if so, evaluates to true ("returns true").

Careful:   The previous paragraph is correctly stated, but awkward. People often say "String" when they really mean "reference to a String". This is fine, but remember that a variable like stringA is not the object, but only a reference to an object. This may seem picky, but there is nothing quite as picky as a computer. I (the author) frequently see students that are not careful about this and who later run into problems.

What is usually said	Careful meaning
The equals method of stringA is called with stringB.	The equals method of the String referenced by stringA is called with a reference to stringB.

String a;
Point  b;