The equals() Method of SimpleDateFormat class is used to compare two SimpleDateFormat objects. The method returns True if this SimpleDateFormat is equal to the passed object else returns False.
Syntax:
public boolean equals(Object obj)
Parameters: The method takes one parameter obj of Object type and refers to the object that is to be compared with this SimpleDateFormat object.
Return Value: The method returns boolean True if both the objects are equal else the method returns False.
Below programs illustrate the working of equals() Method of SimpleDateFormat:
Example 1:
// Java code to illustrate equals() method  import java.text.*;import java.util.*;  public class SimpleDateFormat_Demo {    public static void main(String[] args)        throws InterruptedException, ParseException    {        // Initializing the first formatter        SimpleDateFormat SDFormat1            = new SimpleDateFormat();          // Initializing the second formatter        SimpleDateFormat SDFormat2            = new SimpleDateFormat();          // Displaying both the Formats        Date date = new Date();        String str_Date1            = SDFormat1.format(date);        System.out.println("First: "                           + (str_Date1));          String str_Date2            = SDFormat2.format(date);        System.out.println("Second: "                           + (str_Date2));          // Comparing both the objects        System.out.println("Equality: "                           + SDFormat1.equals(SDFormat2));    }} |
Output:
First: 1/30/19 9:59 AM Second: 1/30/19 9:59 AM Equality: true
Example 2:
// Java code to illustrate equals() method  import java.text.*;import java.util.*;  public class SimpleDateFormat_Demo {    public static void main(String[] args)        throws InterruptedException, ParseException    {        // Initializing the first formatter        SimpleDateFormat SDFormat1            = new SimpleDateFormat();          // Defining the SDFormat        SDFormat1.applyPattern("MMM");          // Initializing the second formatter        SimpleDateFormat SDFormat2            = new SimpleDateFormat();          // Displaying both the Formats        Date date = new Date();        String str_Date1            = SDFormat1.format(date);        System.out.println("First:                            + (str_Date1));          String str_Date2            = SDFormat2.format(date);        System.out.println("Second: "                           + (str_Date2));          // Comparing both the objects        System.out.println("Equality: "                           + SDFormat1.equals(SDFormat2));    }} |
Output:
First: Jan Second: 1/30/19 10:00 AM Equality: false
