if ( ( numbers.substring(1,2) ) != "0" )

[Ed Byrnes]

Is the following statement valid?
It compiles okay but doesn't seem to work in the program.
if ( ( numbers.substring(1,2) ) != "0" )
What is a better way to do this comparison?

[bill bozeman]

When comparing strings, it is safer to use the equals() method and not the == method. Check this post out for reasonings.
http://www.javaranch.com/ubb/Forum19/HTML/000344.html
Bill

[Pat Barrett]

Hello,
Since you are actually comparing Strings you need to use the equals() method. For example; numbers.substring(1,2).equals("0").

Also, assuming that "numbers" is your input argument, that particular string is going to only check the 2nd position of the string. For example, if numbers is equal to '10' your statement would return true. If numbers was equal to 101 it would return true as well. Is this what you intend the statement to be checking for?
Pat B.

[Ed Byrnes]

Thanks everyone...yes, I'm checking for zero's in the Say(b) assignment. The program is becoming quite hairy.