java define println for class object

Question

In C++, one can implement the ostream operator << to be able to define how a class can be output to the stream cout << Class.

Is it possible in java to do something like out.println(Class)?

I'd down vote your comment for terrible structure. I tried 'java override println' and 'java overload operator" and a few others. Didn't find a solution. — Chemistpp
– Chemistpp, Commented Mar 16, 2016 at 13:12

kai · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-16 13:09:37Z

6

System.out.print() calls the toString() method of the object passed to it. If you override the toString() method in your class, you can implement a custom behaviour there. Your class inherit the method from Object. Every class has Object as a superclass in java. Below is the default implementation.

public String toString() {
    return getClass().getName() + "@" + Integer.toHexString(hashCode());
}

The print method (System.out.print(Object obj)) looks like this

public void print(Object obj) {
    write(String.valueOf(obj));
}

and the String.valueOf(Object obj) method finally calls toString().

edited Mar 16, 2016 at 13:09

answered Mar 16, 2016 at 13:03

kai

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Chemistpp Over a year ago

Thank you! Appreciate the answer! Works perfectly :D

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