The two variables refer to different objects
Here is a further modified program:
import java.awt.*; class EqualsDemo3 { public static void main ( String arg[] ) { Point pointA = new Point( 7, 99 ); // pointA refers to a Point Object Point pointB = pointA; // pointB refers to the same Object if ( pointA == pointB ) System.out.println( "The two variables refer to the same object" ); else System.out.println( "The two variables refer to different objects" ); } }
It is possible to have two (or more) reference variables refer to the same object. The modification to the program that does that.
Only one object has been created (because there is only one new
operator.)
The second statement:
Point pointB = pointA;
copies the reference that is in
pointA
into the reference variable pointB
.
Now both reference variables point to the same object.
alias: When two or more reference variables refer to the same object, each variable is said to be an alias.
What is the output of the program?