Thread: finding the largest object help

Basically, the compareTo() method will return -1, 0 or 1. If the comparable object using this method is less than the comparable object in the parameters, it returns -1. If the comparable object using this method is equal to the comparable object in the parameters, it returns 0. If the comparable object using this method is greater than the comparable object in the parameters, it returns 1.

So, lets say we wanted to compare two number (this is not actual code and will not compile):

//Returns -1
4.compareTo(5);
 
//Returns 0
4.compareTo(4);
 
//Returns 1
4.compareTo(3);

Do you understand that much?

It doesn't have to be -1, 0, or 1. It just has to fall into one of these three categories: less than zero, equal to zero, or greater than zero.

So using the compareTo() method, you're largest object compared to every other object will return a value greater than 0 (can you see why?)

Originally Posted by helloworld922

It doesn't have to be -1, 0, or 1. It just has to fall into one of these three categories: less than zero, equal to zero, or greater than zero.

So using the compareTo() method, you're largest object compared to every other object will return a value greater than 0 (can you see why?)

Ya, you got me there. I'm just used to working with tiny numbers and I overlooked that, but you are entirely correct.