Containers in Depth: Exercise 26

Author: kean0212

ContainersInDepth/CountedString.java

@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+
+public class CountedString {
+    private static List<String> created = new ArrayList<String>();
+    private String string;
+    private int id = 0;
+    private char aChar;
+
+    public CountedString(String string, char aChar) {
+        this.string = string;
+        this.aChar = aChar;
+        created.add(string + aChar);
+        for (String createdString : created) {
+            if (createdString.equals(string + aChar)) {
+                id++;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    public String toString() {
+        return "String: " + string + " id: " + id + " char: " + aChar + " hashCode(): " + hashCode();
+    }
+
+    public int hashCode() {
+        int result = 17;
+        result = 37 * result + string.hashCode();
+        result = 37 * result + id;
+        result = 37 * result + (int) aChar;
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    public boolean equals(Object object) {
+        return object instanceof CountedString &&
+                string.equals(((CountedString) object).string) &&
+                id == ((CountedString) object).id &&
+                aChar == ((CountedString) object).aChar;
+    }
+
+    public static void main(String[] args) {
+        Map<CountedString, Integer> map = new HashMap<CountedString, Integer>();
+        CountedString[] countedStrings = new CountedString[5];
+        for (int i = 0; i < countedStrings.length; ++i) {
+            countedStrings[i] = new CountedString("hi", (char) ('a' + i));
+            map.put(countedStrings[i], i);
+        }
+        Util.println(map);
+        for (CountedString countedString : countedStrings) {
+            Util.println("Looking up " + countedString);
+            Util.println(map.get(countedString));
+        }
+    }
+}

ContainersInDepth/README.md

@@ -188,6 +188,26 @@ This means that we should pay attention to whether override `entrySet()` or not
 Therefore, all of the methods have been implemented.
 Many methods depend on `entrySet()` which makes `entrySet()` important.
 
-I spent most of today on work even after work time...
-
+### Overriding hashCode()
+1. The most important factor in creating a `hashCode()` is that, regardless of when `hashCode()` is called,
+it produces the same value for a particular object every time. 
+Otherwise, it will be impossible to access the stored ones.
+
+2. Do **NOT** use unique object information, such as the address.
+Otherwise, it will be impossible again.
+For example, 
+    ```java
+    map.put(instance); // where instance.hashCode() is based on `this`
+    Instance instance2 = instance;
+    map.get(instance2); // this will return `null`
+    ```
+    
+3. Another factor needs to consider while overriding `hashCode()` is to ensure an even distribution,
+so that less collisions happen.
+According to ***Effective Java***, use `result = 37* result + c` where `c` is the `hashCode` of each field of the class.
+
+**Note**:
+1. The access modifiers are controlling class access, not instance access.
+That's why in 'equals()', private fields can be accessed.
+[CountedString.java](https://github.com/kean0212/Thinking-In-Java-Notes/blob/master/ContainersInDepth/CountedString.java#37).