Question

Given the header:

public boolean equals(Name otherName)

I’m supposed to compare two name objects for equality. What I have right now is:

public boolean equals(Name otherName){
    return (name1.equalsIgnoreCase(name2));
}

However, I get an identifier expected error. I think it would work if I change the parameters but the assignment asks that I use that header. What am I doing wrong?

Here is the name constructor:

public Name (String first, String middle, String last){ 
firstName = first; 
middleName = middle; 
lastName = last; 
}

Answer 1

You get ” get an identifier expected error.” because name1 and name2 are defined. Inside equals method you pass another object so refer it as otherName and the object itself is accessible as this.

Try

public boolean equals(Name otherName) {
    return (otherName.equalsIgnoreCase(this));
}

or

 public boolean equals(Name otherName) {
    return (equalsIgnoreCase(otherName));
}

Of course, you should have equalsIgnoreCase implemented for Name class.