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

An array of
characters works same as Java string. For example:

1. char[] ch={'j','a','v','a','t','p','o','i','n','t'};
2. String s=new String(ch);is

same as:

1. String s="javatpoint";

Java String class provides a lot of methods to perform operations on strings such as
compare(), concat(), equals(), split(), length(), replace(), compareTo(), intern(), substring()
etc.

The java.lang.String class

implements Serializable, Comparable and CharSequence interfaces.

CharSequence Interface
The CharSequence interface is used to represent the sequence of characters. String,
StringBuffer and StringBuilder classes implement it. It means, we can create strings in Java
by using these three classes.
 The Java String is immutable which means it cannot be changed. Whenever we change any
string, a new instance is created. For mutable strings, you can use StringBuffer and
StringBuilder classes.

We will discuss immutable string later. Let's first understand what String in Java is and how
to create the String object.

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.

How to create a string object?

There are two ways to create String object:

1. By string literal
2. By new keyword

1) String Literal
Java String literal is created by using double quotes. For Example:

1. String s="welcome";

Each time you create a string literal, the JVM checks the "string constant pool" first. Ifthe
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:

1. String s1="Welcome";
2. String s2="Welcome";//It doesn't create a new instance

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 existsalready
in the string constant pool).

2) By new keyword
1. 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).

Java String Example

StringExample.java

1. public class StringExample{

2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. String s1="java";//creating string by Java string literal
4. char ch[]={'s','t','r','i','n','g','s'};
5. String s2=new String(ch);//converting char array to string
6. String s3=new String("example");//creating Java string by new keyword
7. System.out.println(s1);
8. System.out.println(s2);
9. System.out.println(s3);
10. }}
Test it Now

Output:

java
strings
example

The above code, converts a char array into a String object. And displays the Stringobjects
s1, s2, and s3 on console using println() method.

Java String class methods

The java.lang.String class provides many useful methods to perform operations onsequence of
char values.

No. Method Description

1 char charAt(int index) It returns char value for the
particular index

2 int length() It returns string length

3 static String format(String format, Object... args) It returns a formatted string.

4 static String format(Locale l, String format, It returns formatted stringgiven with

Object... args) locale.

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

index.

6 String substring(int beginIndex, int endIndex) It returns substring for given begin
index and end index.

7 boolean contains(CharSequence s) It returns true or false after

matching the sequence ofvalue. char

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

CharSequence... elements)

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

Iterable<? extends CharSequence> elements)

10 boolean equals(Object another) It checks the equality of string with

the given object.

11 boolean isEmpty() It checks if string is empty.

12 String concat(String str) It concatenates the specified string.

13 String replace(char old, char new) It replaces all occurrences of the

specified char value.

14 String replace(CharSequence old, CharSequencenew) It replaces all occurrences of the

specified CharSequence.

15 static String equalsIgnoreCase(String another) It compares another string.

Itdoesn't check case.
16 String[] split(String regex) It returns a split string matching
regex.

17 String[] split(String regex, int limit) It returns a split string matchingregex

and limit.

18 String intern() It returns an interned string.

19 int indexOf(int ch) It returns the specified char value

index.

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

21 int indexOf(String substring) It returns the specified substring

index.

22 int indexOf(String substring, int fromIndex) It returns the specified substringindex

starting with given index.

23 String toLowerCase() It returns a string in lowercase.

24 String toLowerCase(Locale l) It returns a string in lowercaseusing

specified locale.

25 String toUpperCase() It returns a string in uppercase.

26 String toUpperCase(Locale l) It returns a string in uppercaseusing

specified locale.

27 String trim() It removes beginning and endingspaces

of this string.

28 static String valueOf(int value) It converts given type into string. Itis
an overloaded method.

Do You Know?
o Why are String objects immutable?
o How to create an immutable class?
o What is string constant pool?
 o What code is written by the compiler if you concatenate any string by + (string
concatenation operator)?
o What is the difference between StringBuffer and StringBuilder class?

What will we learn in String Handling?

o Concept of String
o Immutable String
o String Comparison
o String Concatenation
o Concept of Substring
o String class methods and its usage
o StringBuffer class
o StringBuilder class
o Creating Immutable class
o toString() method
o StringTokenizer class