Why Does `Object.toString()` Display the Hashcode?

Understanding the Display of Hashcodes in Object.toString()

When invoking System.out.println(someObj.toString()), one may observe an output similar to "someObjectClassname@hashcodenumber." This prompts the question of why the object's hashcode is included in the string representation.

The hashcode, obtained through the hashCode() method, serves as a unique identifier for each object. While it's not guaranteed to be completely unique, objects with equal values typically share the same hashcode.

The default implementation of toString() displays the object's class name alongside its hashcode. This provides a convenient way to distinguish between different instances of the same class. For instance, if one has two Person objects with names "Alice" and "Bob," their toString() representations would be "Person@hashcode1" and "Person@hashcode2," respectively.

This design decision proves advantageous during debugging, as the hashcode provides quick identification of different objects. Moreover, it ensures that objects are represented consistently throughout the application, simplifying the task of tracking objects and understanding their behavior.

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