Why isn't this if statement working?

[ocomobock]

I tried experimenting with scanners and if statements, and it didn't work. I can't really figure out why. (very new to java, don't judge me)

import java.util.Scanner;

class NewEmpty5{
    public static void main(String[] args){
        
        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
        
        System.out.println("What's your name?");
      
        String name = scanner.next();
        
        if(name == "Not Available"){
            System.out.println("I'm sorry, we aren't allowing anybody to use the name \"Not Available\"");
        }else if(name != "Not Available"){
            System.out.println("Thank you for not choosing the name \"Not Available\"");
        }
    }
}

Any ideas why it isn't working? I assume it's pretty obvious, so it's gonna bother me when I find out. <_<

Output when I typed "Not Available":

run:
What's your name?
Not Available
Thank you for not choosing the name "Not Available"
BUILD SUCCESSFUL (total time: 4 seconds)


Thanks in advance.

[pbrockway2]

Don't use == and != when comparing things other than primitive values (numbers etc). Instead use the the equals() method. Every class defines equals() in some way that makes sense for it: in the case of strings they are equal when they are made up of the same characters in the same order.

if(name.equals("Not Available")) {

name.equals("whatever") is a boolean expression: that is it will be a boolean value (true or false). I mention this because you may want to use the ! operator in conjunction with such an expression to express not being equal to.

[ocomobock]

Don't use == and != when comparing things other than primitive values (numbers etc). Instead use the the equals() method. Every class defines equals() in some way that makes sense for it: in the case of strings they are equal when they are made up of the same characters in the same order.

if(name.equals("Not Available")) {

name.equals("whatever") is a boolean expression: that is it will be a boolean value (true or false). I mention this because you may want to use the ! operator in conjunction with such an expression to express not being equal to.

Thank you! I know how to use the equals() method but some reason it just didn't cross my mind.

EDIT: I edited the code and now I have another problem. How do I make the program remember that you can't use that name?

import java.util.Scanner;

class NewEmpty5{
    public static void main(String[] args){
        
        Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
        
        System.out.println("What's your name?");
      
        String name = scanner.next();
        
        if(name.equals("NotTelling")){
            System.out.println("I'm sorry, we aren't allowing anybody to use the name \"NotTelling\"");
            System.out.println("What's your name?");
      
            scanner.next();
        }
        System.out.println("Hello, " + name);
    }
}

Output:

run:
What's your name?
NotTelling
I'm sorry, we aren't allowing anybody to use the name "NotTelling"
What's your name?
NotTelling
Hello, NotTelling
BUILD SUCCESSFUL (total time: 7 seconds)

[pbrockway2]

Put the code in a loop. Something along the lines of DO(get name. IF appropriate print message) WHILE(name is NotTelling)