Re: toString()

[joe black]

Hi Paul:   I suggest u use Object.getClass().getName(), Object.hashCode() to track a runtime object, cos toString() is very useful some time, like System.out.println("This is my object: "+myObject+", can u see it?"), or Hashtable.toString(), StringBuffer.toString(), java.sql.Date.toString(), org.apache.turbine.service.db.util.Criteria.toString()... They're all useful or even necessary sometime. This is my opinion.       Regards   joe   Peter, Re recent diffs.... Generally I am against overriding toString() in classes.  The only way you can get the true object reference for debugging is to do a toString : "org.apache.Thing@a3b2c3"  That is useful when you are hunting problems with multiple instances of a thing or the wrong instance of thing.  Of course I am talking of traditional debugging  - System.out.println("blah blah " + m_thing).  By overriding toString() that is not longer possible.  Perhaps another method name for what you are trying to do?  "String debug()" - Paul --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com