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Generic Java Type comparison algorithm
Hi, I have a few questions to pose here, hopefully someone with experience can give me some insights and answers to these questions:
1. I wonder if there's any generic way of performing a comparison between two java variables regardless of the data type being passed in (of course, both variables must have the same data type)?
2. Is it possible to convert whatever data type into bytes and then perform a comparison by using XOR ?
3. If it is possible to do so, will the process be slow? To me, performance (execution speed) is one issue in my mind now.
4. If the approach of converting values of all data types into bytes for comparison is possible, how about java object types? Can I use the same way to compare Java objects?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tvc3mye
1. I wonder if there's any generic way of performing a comparison between two java variables regardless of the data type being passed in (of course, both variables must have the same data type)?
Depends what you mean by "generic". If you what to do it on Java 1.4, check the sources for java.util.Arrays.sort(..) methods to see how the comparison is done. On Java 1.5 you can use the feature called 'generics'.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvc3mye
2. Is it possible to convert whatever data type into bytes and then perform a comparison by using XOR ?
Yes, but pointless (because an object variable is just a reference to the object; you'll end up comparing memory addresses) except for primitive types (where relational operators are more efficient anyway)
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvc3mye
3. If it is possible to do so, will the process be slow? To me, performance (execution speed) is one issue in my mind now.
See anwser 2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvc3mye
4. If the approach of converting values of all data types into bytes for comparison is possible, how about java object types? Can I use the same way to compare Java objects?
See again answer 2.
[IMO the only sensible approach of comparing to objects is making them implement java.lang.Comparable interface.]
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Generic Java Type comparison algorithm
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