java - Comparing two elements of a string array with .equals() -

i'm working on project , need compare 2 elements of same array

private void checkimports() {     //import tester     for(int = 0; i<theclass.length;i++)     {            for(int j = 0; j<i; j++)             {                 if(theclass[i].equals(theclass[j]))                     {                             system.out.println("there double import @ line " +i);                             adderror("double import @ line ",i)                     }             }     } } 

the array filled following strings:

"import java.x;" //0 "import java.y;" //1 "import java.z;" //2 "import java.x;" //3 

for reason when call equals() method never evaluates true when = 3 , j= 0. explanation why adderror method never called appreciated

there 2 possible explanations (i mean, there many explanations, these 2 lend checking first, think):

1. the comparison i==3 , j==0 never performed (even though think is).
2. the values theclass[0] , theclass[3] not equal (even though think are).

you can check both cases, e.g., of debugger. if don't using debugger, can insert few system.out.println statements check values variables i , j assume , theclass[0].equals(theclass[3]) evaluates true.