If str1 and str2 are both Strings, which of the following will correctly test to determine whether str1 is less than str2?
(1) (str1

Question

If str1 and str2 are both Strings, which of the following will correctly test to determine whether str1 is less than str2?
(1) (str1 < str2)
(2) (str1.equals(str2) < 0)
(3) (str1.compareTo(str2) < 0)
A) 1, 2, and 3 will all work
B) 2
C) 3
D) 2 and 3

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct method to compare two Strings and determine which is less than the other is to use the compareTo() method. This method returns a negative value if the calling String is less than the argument String, zero if they are equal, and a positive value if the calling String is greater than the argument String. Therefore, option (3) is the correct choice as it uses the compareTo() method to make the comparison. The other options are incorrect as they either use the < operator, which is not valid for Strings, or try to use the equals() method to compare Strings, which only checks for equality, not which is less than the other.

If Str1 and Str2 Are Both Strings, Which of the Following