Java Does Not Equal (!=) Not Working? [duplicate]

If the != (not equal) operator in Java is not working as expected, it may be due to one of several reasons:

1. Comparing Object References: If you’re comparing objects (e.g., Strings or custom classes), != compares memory references, not the actual content. To compare the content of objects, use .equals() for objects like String:

String str1 = “hello”;
String str2 = “hello”;
if (!str1.equals(str2)) {
// This would not work as expected because == compares references
}

2. Incorrect Data Types: Ensure that the data types of the variables you’re comparing are compatible for !=. For example, comparing an integer to a string would lead to errors.

3. Uninitialized Variables: Check if the variables being compared are properly initialized, as using null values can lead to unexpected behavior.

By addressing these points, you can ensure the != operator works as expected in your Java code.