Why Does `Array.toString()` Produce Unexpected Output for Character Arrays in Java?

Unexpected Output from Array.toString()

In Java, the toString() method is commonly used to convert an array into a human-readable string representation. However, in the case of character arrays, the default toString() implementation generates an unexpected output, which appears as a random sequence of characters.

This issue arises because the default toString() method implemented for arrays returns the identity hash code of the array, denoted by "[C@followed by a hexadecimal number. This representation is useful for debugging purposes, but not for human consumption.

Solution: Using Arrays.toString()

To obtain a human-readable string representation of a character array, you need to utilize the Arrays.toString() method instead. This method specifically handles character arrays and converts them into a string containing all the characters within the array.

Below is an updated code snippet that demonstrates how to use Arrays.toString():

import java.util.Arrays;

class ToString {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        char[] array = {'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f'};
        System.out.println(Arrays.toString(array));
    }
}

This code will print the expected output: "abcdef".

Explanation

The Arrays.toString() method is specifically designed to handle arrays of various types, including character arrays. It iterates through the array, appending each character to the resulting string. This process results in a human-readable string representation of the array.

Reason for Default Behavior

The default toString() implementation for arrays was intended to provide a concise representation of the array for debugging purposes. By displaying the identity hash code, it allows developers to quickly identify the memory location of the array and differentiate it from other arrays.

However, this representation is not practical for displaying the contents of the array to users or for use in scenarios where the string representation is intended to be read or processed.

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