I'm currently studying how string class methods are implemented by looking at the source code. I have noticed in several string class methods, the author have written the command that is similar to this
// Note: toffset, ooffset, or len might be near -1>>>1.
What is the author's intent?
More specifically, I don't really get what -1>>>1
means in this context
Below is an actual method that contain the command:
public boolean regionMatches(boolean ignoreCase, int toffset,
String other, int ooffset, int len) {
char ta[] = value;
int to = toffset;
char pa[] = other.value;
int po = ooffset;
// Note: toffset, ooffset, or len might be near -1>>>1.
if ((ooffset < 0) || (toffset < 0)
|| (toffset > (long)value.length - len)
|| (ooffset > (long)other.value.length - len)) {
return false;
}
while (len-- > 0) {
char c1 = ta[to++];
char c2 = pa[po++];
if (c1 == c2) {
continue;
}
if (ignoreCase) {
// If characters don't match but case may be ignored,
// try converting both characters to uppercase.
// If the results match, then the comparison scan should
// continue.
char u1 = Character.toUpperCase(c1);
char u2 = Character.toUpperCase(c2);
if (u1 == u2) {
continue;
}
// Unfortunately, conversion to uppercase does not work properly
// for the Georgian alphabet, which has strange rules about case
// conversion. So we need to make one last check before
// exiting.
if (Character.toLowerCase(u1) == Character.toLowerCase(u2)) {
continue;
}
}
return false;
}
return true;
}