🚀 Java Interview Essential: == vs .equals() Method
This is one of the most important questions for entry-level Java interviews!

📋 Key Differences:
1. Nature
== is an operator
.equals() is a method

2. What They Compare
== operator checks object references (memory addresses)
.equals() method checks content/values

Example

String nameOfOwner = "Yuvraj";                    // String literal
String nameOfRental = new String("Yuvraj");       // New object

// Reference comparison using ==
System.out.println(nameOfOwner == nameOfRental);        // Output: false

// Content comparison using .equals()
System.out.println(nameOfRental.equals(nameOfOwner));   // Output: true    

🔍 Why This Happens:

• String literals are stored in the String Pool (same reference for identical values)
• new String() creates a new object in heap memory (different reference)
• .equals() compares the actual character sequences

⚠️ Important Interview Points:
3. Memory Allocation    
String a = "Hello";           // String pool
String b = "Hello";           // Same reference as 'a'
String c = new String("Hello"); // New object in heap

System.out.println(a == b);     // true (same reference)
System.out.println(a == c);     // false (different references)
System.out.println(a.equals(c)); // true (same content)

4. Null Safety
String str1 = null;
String str2 = "Hello";

// Dangerous - can throw NullPointerException
// str1.equals(str2);

// Safe approaches:
System.out.println(Objects.equals(str1, str2));  // false
System.out.println("Hello".equals(str1));        // false (no exception)

🏆 Pro Tips:

• Always use .equals() for String comparisons
• Use Objects.equals() for null-safe comparisons
• Remember: "If .equals() returns true, hashCode() must be the same"