Java override Object equals() method

Question

How do I override the equals method in the object class?

i.e I have

class Person{

//need to override here
public boolean equals (Object obj){

}
         


        

Answer 1

I know this is answered, but in my travels I have found this the most efficient way to override the comparison of an object to make sure it happens the same globally:

@Override
public boolean equals(Object o) {
    return o instanceof Person && this.getSomeMagicalField().equals(((Person) o).getSomeMagicalField());
}

or if you are not comparing strings:

@Override
public boolean equals(Object o) {
    return o instanceof Person && this.getSomeMagicalField() == (Person) o).getSomeMagicalField();
}