How to Compare Arrays in Java

In this article, we show how to compare arrays in Java.
When we want to compare the individual elements of 2 arrays, we don't use the == operator. This is because with the == operator, the array variables are considered to be equal only if both variables point to exactly the same array instance. This is usually not what is desired.
To compare 2 arrays element by element, Arrays.equal method should be used instead.
Comparing Arrays
To compare 2 arrays in Java, we use the Arrays.equal() and instead of the parentheses, put the arrays we want to compare.
So if we want to compare array1 and array2 (representing 2 arrays), the statement, Arrays.equal(array1, array2).
The code below shows how to do this.
So this is all that is required to compare arrays in Java.
We create 2 arrays of type string and set them equal to "Peter" and "John" as the 2 elements.
We then create an if statement. Inside of the if statement, we place, Arrays.equal(array1, array2).
Since the 2 arrays contain the same elements (Peter and John), the if statement evaluated to true and the statement, "The 2 arrays are equal" will
output.
Java Output
The 2 arrays are equal
If you make the arrays contain different elements, then you'll see that the if statement evaluates to false. So, using the above code, the statement,
"The 2 arrays are equal" will not print. Nothing will print (unless you put an else statement in the code to output a statement).