How Can I Effectively Override the toString() Method in Java?

Overriding toString() in Java: A Detailed Guide

The toString() method, a native part of the Object class, plays a pivotal role in representing the state of an object. This method is invoked implicitly during various operations like System.out.println() and debugging. However, overriding toString() requires careful attention to ensure it generates meaningful output.

One common pitfall is the usage of parameterized constructors in the overridden toString(). As demonstrated in the given code, the second constructor of the Kid class attempts to use a StringTokenizer to split a date string, assigning the result to the class variables. However, this constructor is never called explicitly and is therefore deemed inaccessible from the toString() method.

The key to properly overriding toString() is to return a String that accurately reflects the object's state. In the provided code, the following updated version of the toString() method accomplishes this task:

public String toString() {
    return "Name: '" + this.name + "', Height: '" + this.height + "', Birthday: '" + this.bDay + "'";
}

This revised toString() method utilizes string concatenation to generate a readable and informative representation of the Kid object. By avoiding the use of parameterized constructors and focusing on returning a String, this implementation ensures that the object's data is correctly displayed when the toString() method is called.

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