comparing two objects of a linked list

[laina222]

I'm attempting to write a method where I need to compare two objects from a linked list of address objects. The method should compare the lastName field for the two objects:

*If the calling object's last name is alphabetically before the object passed to the method, I want the method to return a -1.
*If the calling object's last name is alphabetically after the object passed to the method, I want the method to return a 1.
*If the calling object's last name is alphabetically equivalent to the object passed to the method, I want the method to return a 0.

So I understand that the method should take an object and return an integer. I don't have much experience with comparing objects - just primitive data types so far. The fact that they need to be compared alphabetically really throws me. Does Java have some way to compare string fields within objects?

 

[palbano]

java.lang.String.compareTo( java.lang.String)

-pete
_{I just can't seem to get back my IntelliSense}

 

[laina222]

isn't that to compare a String to another String? what if it's an object that's comprised of many Strings?
thanks!

 

[palbano]

yes,

I'm attempting to write a method where I need to compare two objects from a linked list of address objects. The method should compare the lastName field for the two objects:

I assumed the lastName field was a String object since you didn't indicate otherwise.


-pete
_{I just can't seem to get back my IntelliSense}

 

[laina222]

the lastName field is a String within another object. sorry for the confusion!