Comparison

Learn ==, !=, <, >, <=, >= operators.

Comparison operators

Comparison operators compare two values and return a boolean (true or false). Java has six:

== equal
!= not equal
< less than
> greater than
<= less or equal
>= greater or equal

int age = 18;
System.out.println(age >= 18); // true
System.out.println(age != 18); // false

You can use the results in if conditions.

Exercise Print comparison results

Write a Main class with a main method. Assign 10 to int x. Print x == 10 and x < 5 on separate lines with println.

Show example solution

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int x = 10;
        System.out.println(x == 10);
        System.out.println(x < 5);
    }
}

Equality == vs assignment =

In Java == does equality comparison, while = does assignment. They are often confused.

int a = 5;  // assignment: a is set to 5
if (a == 5) // comparison: is a equal to 5?

For Strings, == compares references; to compare content use equals. For numbers, == compares values directly.

Accidentally writing = can give a compile error or a logic bug.

Test yourself

Match the operators

==

Equal
!=

Not equal
<

Less than
>=

Greater or equal
What is the result of 5 != 3?
- true
- false
- 5
- 3
Show answer

true — 5 is different from 3, so true.

Complete the comparison

boolean greater = 7 ____ 5;

Show answer

boolean greater = 7 > 5;

Next lesson: Logical

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