Java Array Char And String Difference In Array

Question

While making up some arrays I noticed that

char[] javaArray = {'j','a','v','a'};

prints out

java

but

String[] javaStringArray = {"j","a","v","a"};

only prints the stack location. I know char and String are both very different, but how come the JVM knows to output chars for the first and only a stack location for the second?

I am using IntelliJ and the command System.out.println(javaArray);

Where does `char[] javaArray = {'j','a','v','a'}` print `java`? — ernest_k, Jun 22 '18 at 18:29
Rather than tacking on a vital detail the usage of `println` to the end, it should be prominently featured towards the beginning. — jpmc26, Jun 22 '18 at 19:42

score 16 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 22 '18 at 18:52

16

This happens because PrintStream has a special override for char[], but it lacks such overrides for String[] and other array types:

PrintStream.println(char[] x)

If you call toString() on javaArray when printing, the results would look similar to what you get when you print String[]:

char[] javaArray = {'j','a','v','a'};
System.out.println(javaArray.toString()); // Prints something like [C@1540e19d

edited Jun 22 '18 at 18:52

k_ssb

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answered Jun 22 '18 at 18:34

Sergey Kalinichenko

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3

Didn't know this existed...! – ernest_k Jun 22 '18 at 18:43
3

@ErnestKiwele Neither did I - the result came as a surprise to me, so I had to look it up. – Sergey Kalinichenko Jun 22 '18 at 18:44
good explanation!! – Yohan Malshika Jun 24 '18 at 09:38

Java Array Char And String Difference In Array

1 Answers1