Syntax Error

What This Error Means

This error occurs when the Java compiler is unable to find a method declaration in the class or interface being used. In this case, the error is related to overloading a method.

Why It Happens

This error typically happens when you're trying to use a method or variable that doesn't exist in the class or interface. In this specific scenario, you're trying to override the 'equals(Object obj)' method, but you're not declaring it in your class.

How to Fix It

1. 1To fix this error, you need to declare the 'equals(Object obj)' method in your class. Here's how to do it:
2. 2public boolean equals(Object obj) {
3. 3 if (this == obj) {
4. 4 return true;
5. 5 }
6. 6 if (obj == null || getClass() != obj.getClass()) {
7. 7 return false;
8. 8 }
9. 9 MyString other = (MyString) obj;
10. 10 return Objects.equals(this.value, other.value);
11. 11}
12. 12You can also use the '@Override' annotation to let the compiler know that you're trying to override a method.

Example Code Solution

class MyString {
    private String value;

    public boolean equals(String other) {
        return this.value.equals(other);
    }
}

class MyString {
    private String value;

    @Override
    public boolean equals(Object obj) {
        if (this == obj) {
            return true;
        }
        if (obj == null || getClass() != obj.getClass()) {
            return false;
        }
        MyString other = (MyString) obj;
        return Objects.equals(this.value, other.value);
    }
}