Convert object to string ( java )

Question

I have a question how to convert an object item to string , in the source code here you can see that you can input Object item as an object , however I would want the item to be converted into a string so I can equal it to a string variable . Does anybody know how to do this ?

Thank you

public QueueNode AddItem (Object item, int priority) 
{


    PQNode newNode = new PQNode (item, priority);
    if (root != null) {

        spreadingOutToInsert (newNode);

        // if newNode equals or is greater than the root then  put the old root as the rightChild of the newnode

        if (newNode.compare (root) < 0) 

        {
            newNode.leftNode  = root.leftNode;

            newNode.right = root;

            root.leftNode     = null;

            // if newNode equals or is greater than the root then just put the old root as the leftChild of the newnode
        } else 
        {
            newNode.leftNode  = root;

            newNode.right = root.right;

            root.right    = null;
        }; 

    }; 

    size++;
    return root = newNode;    // this is to make the newNode into the new root

};

Can't you simply write a method? Either manually or override toString(). — Klaster
– Klaster, Commented Feb 8, 2015 at 22:58

user3248346 · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-08 22:56:19Z

2

You use (String)item if you want to explicitly cast the type, but be careful. Ideally you should override the toString() for the class and call that instead to return a String.

answered Feb 8, 2015 at 22:56

user3248346

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1 Comment

Solomon Slow Over a year ago

Say what? (String)item does not convert anything. All it does is tell the compiler, "trust me, I know that the item variable holds a reference to a String." But what if it doesn't hold a reference to a String? You get a runtime error, which probably is not what you wanted.

John Estess · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-08 23:13:29Z

0

If you want to compare the output of the default toString() implementation inherited from Object, it will look something like this: Ex@7852e922

You could always implement a toString() method to override the default behavior. Also, instead of (String) item you could call item.toString(). Read the toString() and hashcode() methods in: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/lang/Object.html

As stated before, the classname@hashcode representation might be enough to do what you need to do.

answered Feb 8, 2015 at 23:13

John Estess

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