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Immutable wrapper classes

 
Greenhorn
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import java.util.*;
public class amap
{public static void main(String arg[])
{
AbstractMap ap=new HashMap();
ap.put(new Integer("2"),null);//line1
System.out.println(ap.containsKey(new Integer("2")));//line 2
}
}
Line 1 above returns true. Does that mean new Integer("2") in line 2 points to the same object as in line 1. Does it prove that primitive wrapper classes are immutable.
 
Ranch Hand
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Hi Sumit David,


Line 1 above returns true. Does that mean new Integer("2") in line 2 points to the same object as in line 1?


No. The object created at line 1 and the object created at line 2 are TWO different objects. Their references are not equal.
However the equals method of Integer returns true, because the *contents* of these two distinct objects is the same. Object.equals() compares references. Integer overrides equals(). Integer.equals() compares contents.
new Integer(�2�) == new Integer(�2�) is false.
new Integer(�2�).equals(new Integer(�2)) is true.


Does it prove that primitive wrapper classes are immutable?


containsKey returns true because the objects are equals() according to Integer.equals(). The Map interface specifies that containsKey uses the equals() method.
I am not sure how to prove the wrapper classes are immutable.
[ February 06, 2004: Message edited by: Marlene Miller ]
 
Sumit David
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Thanks
It cleared all my doubt. In fact, it just slipped from my mind that the keyword new creates a new object.
Thanks again Sumit
 
Marlene Miller
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I wasn't sure whether I had answered the question you were asking. Thank you for letting me know that your doubts are cleared.
Yes, you are right - new returns a different reference each time.
[ February 08, 2004: Message edited by: Marlene Miller ]
 
Marlene Miller
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We are told that the wrapper classes are immutable. But how do we know that?
I looked at the 1.4 source code. The Integer class is final. So it cannot be extended.
The field that hold the integer value is private but Not final!
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