More exhaustive way of comparing objects

Question

I have to make implement the data structure for a search engine. So there are different type of objects in my DS. I have a generic linked list and I want to only add those elements to the list which are not a part of the list now. Is there a method for comparing two object types in a more exhaustive way because .equals() is returning true every time?

public Boolean IsMember(T o) {
    NodeX<T> temp = head;

    while(temp!= null) {
        if (temp.data.equals(o))
            {//System.out.println("exec");
            return true;}
        temp = temp.next;
    }

    return false;
}

This is the isMember method of the LinkedList. This works only for string types. What can I change in this to make it work for all object types?

If I define an isEqual method for different objects that I am using, how can I use those methods here?

If i understand it right, you can override equals and compare what you want. — pL4Gu33, Oct 13 '18 at 16:37
I have an isMember method in my linked list. I am using equals there. How can I override that? — shubh gupta, Oct 13 '18 at 16:41
Maybe i understand it wrong... but you can override the equals method from the objects itself and compare them there. Otherwise please add a little code example for your problem, think that helps :) — pL4Gu33, Oct 13 '18 at 16:55
I edited the question. Could you please suggest anything now? — shubh gupta, Oct 13 '18 at 17:17

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 13 '18 at 16:44

You'll have to implement your version of .equals(). To compare lists here are some questions would be helpful for you

returning difference between two lists in java

Simple way to find if two different lists contain exactly the same elements?

Java Compare Two Lists

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 13 '18 at 19:00

0

Whenever you define an isEqual method for different objects, that is the method that is used whenever isEqual is called, like in isMember.

answered Oct 13 '18 at 19:00

Kevin McCann

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More exhaustive way of comparing objects

2 Answers2