Why Does Java\'s `toString()` Method Produce Cryptic Output for Arrays?

Java's Uncommon 'ToString()' for Arrays

In Java, the toString() method is expected to provide a useful human-readable string representation of an object. However, when dealing with arrays, that expectation does not hold.

The Peculiarity of Array's ToString()

Consider the following code:

char[] Array = {'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f'};
System.out.println(Array.toString());

Instead of returning the expected string "abcdef," this code prints gibberish like "[C@6e1408" or "[C@e53108."

This behavior arises because Java's default toString() implementation for arrays produces a cryptic string containing:

• [ (left bracket)
• C (element type, 'C' for char)
• @ (separator)
• identity hash code (a unique identifier for the array)

The Solution

To obtain a human-readable string representation of an array, use the static Arrays.toString() method instead:

System.out.println(Arrays.toString(Array));

This method explicitly returns the desired "abcdef" string.

The Rationale

Java's choice to use a cryptic toString() implementation for arrays is often seen as a mistake. The intent behind this design was likely to prioritize memory addresses in debugging, but it has proven to be more confusing than helpful in everyday use.

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