SUBJECT CODE

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UNIT NO 2
INHERITANCE AND INTERFACES

2.9 STRINGS

II III

20CSPC301
OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING
(Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Introduction

● In Java, string is basically an object that represents sequence of char values.

● Strings are used for storing text.
● A String variable contains a collection of characters surrounded by double quotes:
Example:
String greeting = "Hello";
● An array of characters works same as Java string.
For example:

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

String s=new String(ch);

is same as:

String s="java";
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Definition of String

What is String in java?

● Generally, String is a sequence of characters. But in Java, string is an object that
represents a sequence of characters.
● The java.lang.String class is used to create a string object.
Example:
● String greeting = "Hello world!";
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

String Creation

How to create a string object?

● There are two ways to create String object:
○ 1. By string literal
○ 2. By new keyword
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

String Creation by string literal

● Java String literal is created by using double quotes.

For Example:
○ String s="welcome";
● Each time you create a string literal, the JVM checks the "string constant pool" first.
● If the string already exists in the pool, a reference to the pooled instance is returned.
● If the string doesn't exist in the pool, a new string instance is created and placed in
the pool.
For example:
○ String s1="Welcome";
○ String s2="Welcome"; //It doesn't create a new instance
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

String Creation by string literal

 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

String Creation by string literal

● In the above example, only one object will be created.

● Firstly, JVM will not find any string object with the value "Welcome" in string
constant pool, that is why it will create a new object. After that it will find the string
with the value "Welcome" in the pool, it will not create a new object but will return
the reference to the same instance.
● Note: String objects are stored in a special memory area known as the "string
constant pool".
● Why Java uses the concept of String literal?
● To make Java more memory efficient (because no new objects are created if it exists
already in the string constant pool).
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

String Creation by new keyword

● String s = new String("Welcome"); //creates two objects and one reference variable
● In such case, JVM will create a new string object in normal (non-pool) heap memory,
and the literal "Welcome" will be placed in the string constant pool.
● The variable s will refer to the object in a heap (non-pool).
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Example of String creation

public class StringExample{

public static void main(String args[]){
String s1="java"; //creating string by java string literal
char ch[]={'s','t','r','i','n','g','s'};
String s2=new String(ch); //converting char array to string
String s3=new String("example"); //creating java string by new keyword
System.out.println(s1);
System.out.println(s2);
System.out.println(s3); } }
Output:
java
strings
example
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Methods

● The java.lang.String class provides many useful methods to perform operations on

sequence of char values.

No. Method Description

1. char charAt(int index) returns char value for the

particular index

2. int length() returns string length

3. static String format(String format, returns a formatted string.

Object... args)
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Methods

No. Method Description

4. String substring(int beginIndex, int returns substring for given begin

endIndex) index and end index.

5. String substring(int beginIndex) returns substring for given begin

index.

6. boolean contains(CharSequence s) returns true or false after matching

the sequence of char value.

7. static String join(CharSequence delimiter, returns a joined string.

CharSequence... elements)
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Methods

No. Method Description

8. boolean equals(Object another) checks the equality of string

with the given object.

9. boolean isEmpty() checks if string is empty.

10. String concat(String str) concatenates the specified

string.

11. String replace(char old, char new) replaces all occurrences of the
specified char value.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Methods

No. Method Description

12. String replace(CharSequence old, replaces all occurrences of the

CharSequence new) specified CharSequence.

13. static String equalsIgnoreCase(String compares another string. It

another) doesn't check case.

14. String[] split(String regex) returns a split string matching

regex.

15. String[] split(String regex, int limit) returns a split string matching
regex and limit.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Methods

No. Method Description

16. int indexOf(int ch) returns the specified char value index.

17. int indexOf(int ch, int fromIndex) returns the specified char value index
starting with given index.

18. int indexOf(String substring) returns the specified substring index.

19. int indexOf(String substring, int returns the specified substring index
fromIndex) starting with given index.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Methods

No. Method Description

20. String toLowerCase() returns a string in lowercase.

21. String toLowerCase(Locale l) returns a string in lowercase using specified

locale.

22. String toUpperCase() returns a string in uppercase.

23. String toUpperCase(Locale l) returns a string in uppercase using specified

locale.

24. String trim() removes beginning and ending spaces of this

string.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Method - charAt()

● The java string charAt() method returns a char value at the given index number.
● The index number starts from 0 and goes to n-1, where n is length of the string.
● It returns StringIndexOutOfBoundsException if given index number is greater than
or equal to this string length or a negative number.
Java String charAt() method example
public class CharAtExample{
public static void main(String args[]){
String name="java";
char ch=name.charAt(2);//returns the char value at the 2nd index
System.out.println(ch);
}}
Output:
v
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Method - compareTo()

● The java string compareTo() method compares the given string with current string
lexicographically. It returns positive number, negative number or 0.
● It compares strings on the basis of Unicode value of each character in the strings.
○ If first string is lexicographically greater than second string, it returns positive
number (difference of character value).
○ If first string is less than second string lexicographically, it returns negative
number and
○ if first string is lexicographically equal to second string, it returns 0.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Method - compareTo()

public class CompareToExample{

public static void main(String args[]){
String s1="hello";
String s2="hello";
String s3="meklo";
String s4="hemlo";
String s5="flag";
System.out.println(s1.compareTo(s2)); //0 because both are equal
System.out.println(s1.compareTo(s3)); //-5 because "h" is 5 times lower than "m"
System.out.println(s1.compareTo(s4)); //-1 because "l" is 1 times lower than "m"
System.out.println(s1.compareTo(s5)); //2 because "h" is 2 times greater than "f" }}
Output:
0
-5
-1
2
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java String Method - concat()

● The java string concat() method combines specified string at the end of this string.
● It returns combined string. It is like appending another string.
Java String concat() method example
public class ConcatExample{
public static void main(String args[]){
String s1="java string";
s1.concat("is immutable");
System.out.println(s1);
s1=s1.concat(" is immutable so assign it explicitly"); // explicit assignment
System.out.println(s1);
}}
Output
java string
java string is immutable so assign it explicitly
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Immutable String
● In java, string objects are immutable. Immutable simply means unmodifiable or
unchangeable.
● Once string object is created its data or state can't be changed but a new string
object is created.
Example:
class Testimmutablestring{
public static void main(String args[]){
String s="Sachin";
s.concat(" Tendulkar");//concat() method appends the string at the end
System.out.println(s);//will print Sachin because strings are immutable objects
s= s.concat(“Tendulkar”);
System.out.println(s);
}
}
Output:Sachin
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Justification of Immutable String

● Now it can be understood by the diagram given below. Here Sachin is not changed
but a new object is created with sachintendulkar. That is why string is known as
immutable.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Justification of Immutable String

● As you can see in the above figure that two objects are created but s reference
variable still refers to "Sachin" not to "Sachin Tendulkar".
● But if we explicitly assign it to the reference variable, it will refer to "Sachin
Tendulkar" object.
For example:
class Testimmutablestring1{
public static void main(String args[]){
String s="Sachin";
s=s.concat(" Tendulkar"); // explicit assignment
System.out.println(s);
} }
Output:Sachin Tendulkar
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Why string objects are Immutable?

● Because java uses the concept of string literal.

● Suppose there are 5 reference variables, all refers to one object "sachin".
● If one reference variable changes the value of the object, it will be affected to all the
reference variables.
● That is why string objects are immutable in java.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

What is mutable string?

● A string that can be modified or changed is known as mutable string.

● StringBuffer and StringBuilder classes are used for creating mutable string.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Java StringBuffer class

● Java StringBuffer class is used to create mutable (modifiable) string.

● The StringBuffer class in java is same as String class except it is mutable i.e. it can
be changed.
● Java StringBuffer class is thread-safe i.e. multiple threads cannot access it
simultaneously. So it is safe and will result in an order.
● Synchronized :only one thread can access the resource at a given point of time.
● All other threads attempting to access the synchronized resource are blocked.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Constructor of StringBuffer class

Constructor Description

StringBuffer() creates an empty string buffer with the initial capacity of 16.

StringBuffer(String str) creates a string buffer with the specified string.

StringBuffer(int capacity) creates an empty string buffer with the specified capacity
as length.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

methods of StringBuffer class

Method Description

append(String s) is used to append the specified string with this string. The
append() method is overloaded like append(char),
append(boolean), append(int), append(float), append(double)
etc.

insert(int offset, String s) is used to insert the specified string with this string at the
specified position. The insert() method is overloaded like
insert(int, char), insert(int, boolean), insert(int, int), insert(int,
float), insert(int, double) etc.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

methods of StringBuffer class

Method Description

delete(int startIndex, int is used to delete the string from specified startIndex and
endIndex) endIndex.

reverse() is used to reverse the string.

replace(int startIndex, int is used to replace the string from specified startIndex
endIndex, String str) and endIndex.

length() is used to return the length of the string i.e. total number
of characters.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Example of append() method of StringBuffer class

StringBuffer append() method

The append() method concatenates the given argument with this string.

class StringBufferExample{
public static void main(String args[]){
StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello ");
sb.append("Java");//now original string is changed
System.out.println(sb);//prints Hello Java
}
}
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Example of replace() method of StringBuffer class

● StringBuffer replace() method

● The replace() method replaces the given string from the specified beginIndex and
endIndex.
class StringBufferExample3{
public static void main(String args[]){
StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello");
sb.replace(1,3,"Java"); //replace index 1 to 2 by Java
System.out.println(sb);//prints HJavalo
}
}
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

StringBuilder class

● Java StringBuilder class is used to create mutable (modifiable) string.

● The Java StringBuilder class is same as StringBuffer class
● But StringBuilder class is non-synchronized.
● StringBuffer class in synchronized.
● It is available since JDK 1.5.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Constructor of StringBuilder class

Constructor Description

StringBuilder() creates an empty string Builder with the initial

capacity of 16.

StringBuilder(String str) creates a string Builder with the specified string.

StringBuilder(int length) creates an empty string Builder with the specified

capacity as length.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Methods of StringBuilder class

Method Description

public StringBuilder is used to append the specified string with this string.
append(String s) The append() method is overloaded like append(char),
append(boolean), append(int), append(float),
append(double) etc.

public StringBuilder insert(int is used to insert the specified string with this string at
offset, String s) the specified position. The insert() method is
overloaded like insert(int, char), insert(int, boolean),
insert(int, int), insert(int, float), insert(int, double) etc.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Methods of StringBuilder class

Method Description

public StringBuilder replace(int is used to replace the string from specified

startIndex, int endIndex, String str) startIndex and endIndex.

public StringBuilder delete(int startIndex, is used to delete the string from specified
int endIndex) startIndex and endIndex.

public StringBuilder reverse() is used to reverse the string.

 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Example of insert() Methods of StringBuilder class

● The StringBuilder insert() method inserts the given string with this string at the given
position.
class StringBuilderExample2{
public static void main(String args[]){
StringBuilder sb=new StringBuilder("Hello ");
sb.insert(1,"Java"); // now original string is changed -- Java inserted at index 1
System.out.println(sb);
}
}
output
HJavaello
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Example of reverse() Methods of StringBuilder class

● The reverse() method of StringBuilder class reverses the current string.

class StringBuilderExample5{
public static void main(String args[]){
StringBuilder sb=new StringBuilder("Hello");
sb.reverse();
System.out.println(sb);
}
}
output:
olleH
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Difference between String and StringBuffer class

String StringBuffer

String class is immutable. StringBuffer class is mutable.

String is slow and consumes more memory StringBuffer is fast and consumes less
when you concat too many strings because memory when you concat strings.
every time it creates new instance.

String class overrides the equals() method StringBuffer class doesn't override the
of Object class. So you can compare the equals() method of Object class.
contents of two strings by equals() method.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Difference between StringBuffer and StringBuilder class

StringBuffer StringBuilder

StringBuffer is synchronized i.e. thread StringBuilder is non-synchronized i.e. not

safe. thread safe.

It means two threads can't call the It means two threads can call the
methods of StringBuffer simultaneously. methods of StringBuilder simultaneously.

StringBuffer is less efficient than StringBuilder is more efficient than

StringBuilder. StringBuffer.
 20CSPC301
Object Oriented Programming (Common to CSE, EEE, EIE, ICE, IT)

Video Link for Strings in Java

https://youtu.be/xcEe9GYEcA4

https://youtu.be/zS6oYgIrnd8

https://youtu.be/ZhQxRyyqiI8
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