What is the difference between “==” and .Equals()?

When we create any object there are two parts to the object one is the content and the other is reference to that content.
So for example if you create an object as shown in below code:-

“.NET interview questions” is the content.
“o” is the reference to that content.

object o = ".NET Interview questions";

“==” compares if the object references are same while “.Equals()” compares if the contents are same.

So if you run the below code both “==” and “.Equals()” returns true because content as well as references are same.

object o = ".NET Interview questions";
object o1 = o;
Console.WriteLine(o == o1);
Console.WriteLine(o.Equals(o1));
Console.ReadLine();

True

Now consider the below code where we have same content but they point towards different instances. So if you run the below code both “==” will return false and “.Equals()” will return true.

object o = ".NET Interview questions";
object o1 = new string(".NET Interview questions".ToCharArray());
Console.WriteLine(o == o1);
Console.WriteLine(o.Equals(o1));
Console.ReadLine();

False

True

When you are using string data type it always does content comparison. In other words you either use “.Equals()” or “==” it always do content comparison.

You can also watch the following video of the above explanation at C# interview questions and answers :- Difference between "==" and ".Equals()" ?

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This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

About the Author

Shivprasad koirala

Architect http://www.questpond.com

India

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I am a Microsoft MVP for ASP/ASP.NET and currently a CEO of a small
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A Technical Blog, originally posted at http://computerauthor.blogspot.com/2013/04/c-interview-questions-and-answers-what_2516.html

When we create any object there are two parts to the object one is the content and the other is reference to that content.So for example if you create an object as shown in below code:-“.NET interview questions” is the content.“o” is the reference to that content.object o = ".NET Interview questions

Type	Technical Blog
Licence	CPOL
First Posted	26 Apr 2013
Views	3,423
Bookmarked	3 times

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What is the difference between “==” and .Equals()?

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