Answer
If two objects are equal via equals(), their hashCode() must match.
Required for HashMap, HashSet, and other collections.
Required for HashMap, HashSet, and other collections.
Quick Answer
The contract: objects that are equal (equals() returns true) must have the same hashCode. Objects with the same hashCode may or may not be equal (hash collision). If you break this contract, HashMap and HashSet won't work correctly - equal objects would be stored in different buckets and never found. Always override both together. Use Objects.hash() for a clean implementation.
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SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ