Java Converting: char[] array --> String

Question

How do you convert a character array to a String?
I have this code

Console c = System.console();
if (c == null) {
    System.err.println("No console.");
    System.exit(1);
}
char [] password = c.readPassword("Enter your password: ");

I need to convert that to a String so I can verify

if(stringPassword == "Password"){
    System.out.println("Valid");
}

Can anyone help me with this?

There is a reason char[] is used for passwords over Strings. — Jeffrey
– Jeffrey, Commented Jul 26, 2012 at 22:43

Jon Lin · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-26 22:10:06Z

25

Use the String(char[]) constructor.

char [] password = c.readPassword("Enter your password: ");
String stringPassword = new String(password);

And when you compare, don't use ==, use `.equals():

if(stringPassword.equals("Password")){

answered Jul 26, 2012 at 22:10

Jon Lin

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4 Comments

jamesmortensen Over a year ago

You should also add in the bit about not using == to compare string's equality.

Jon Lin Over a year ago

Thanks, was in the middle of editing when you posted comment.

jay c. Over a year ago

and as a best practice, if your comparing a variable with a string literal or a constant, always call the .equals method from the string literal or a constant to avoid possible null pointer exception, i.e. "Password".equals(stringPassword)

Henry Harris Over a year ago

Thanks guys. :) I will accept your answer in 8 minutes when it allows me :D

corsiKa · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-26 22:12:01Z

6

You'll want to make a new String out of the char[]. Then you'll want to compare them using the .equals() method, not ==.

So instead of

if(stringPassword == "Password"){

You get

if("password".equals(new String(stringPassword))) {

answered Jul 26, 2012 at 22:12

corsiKa

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Comments

Shrey · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-04 04:44:17Z

0

Although not as efficient you could always use a for loop:

char [] password = c.readPassword("Enter your password: ");
String str = "";

for(i = 0; i < password.length(); i++){
    str += password[i];
}

This is a very simple way and requires no previous knowledge of functions/classes in the standard library!

answered Feb 4, 2014 at 4:44

Shrey

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1 Comment

Gaʀʀʏ Over a year ago

Not only that, but char[] is preferred for passwords anyway. stackoverflow.com/questions/8881291/…

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