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Thread: not able to remove from ArrayList

  1. #1
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    Default not able to remove from ArrayList

    Hi,
    I am trying to remove an object from a array list by passing in the object to be removed.
    I have a equals method as well. But somehow its not woking. The equals method is not getting picked.
    Please suggest whats wrong

    Heres my code:
    import java.util.*;
    class Dummy
    {
    	int x;
    	Dummy(int y)
    	{
    		x=y;
    	}
    	public boolean equals(Dummy o)
    	{
    		if(o.x==this.x)
    			return true;
    		return false;
    	}
    	public String toString()
    	{
    		return Integer.toString(x);
    	}
    }
    class CollTest {
    public static void main(String args[]) {
     
    ArrayList al = new ArrayList();
    System.out.println("Initial size of al: " +al.size());
     
    // add elements to the array list
    al.add(new Dummy(5));
    al.add(new Dummy(6));
    al.add(new Dummy(7));
     
    System.out.println("Size of al after additions: " +al.size());
    // display the array list
    System.out.println("Contents of al: " + al);
     
    // Remove elements from the array list
    al.remove(new Dummy(5));
    System.out.println("Size of al after deletions: " +al.size());
    System.out.println("Contents of al: " + al);
    }
    }

    Output is:
    Initial size of al: 0
    Size of al after additions: 3
    Contents of al: [5, 6, 7]
    Size of al after deletions: 3
    Contents of al: [5, 6, 7]


  2. #2
    Super Moderator helloworld922's Avatar
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    Default Re: not able to remove from ArrayList

    The problem is because the equals method must be able to compare the Dummy object to any other object (not necessarily another Dummy object). Implementing it as public boolean equals(Dummy o) only accepts inputs of type Dummy, thus doesn't properly override the equals method.

    One way you can ensure that you're properly overriding a method is to add a @Override annotation before the method declaration, and it will generate a compile error if the method isn't properly overridden.

    @Override
    public boolean equals(Object o)
    {
        if(o instanceof Dummy) // check to make sure o isn't null, and that o is a Dummy object
        {
            // TODO: test for comparing two Dummy objects
        }
        return false; // either o is null or isn't a Dummy object
    }

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to helloworld922 For This Useful Post:

    harsha_c (March 3rd, 2011)

  4. #3
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    Default Re: not able to remove from ArrayList

    Thanks alot..
    did a dumb thing by using Dummy

    public boolean equals(Dummy o)

    Object.equals() was getting picked and not this.

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