Ways to Create String in Java

We can obtain a String from a literal, characters, bytes, or another value that needs a text form. These choices are not interchangeable: bytes need decoding, while new String(...) creates a separate object. This page follows those differences with small examples.

Understanding these approaches is important because they interact differently with the String pool.

1. Using a String Literal

The simplest and most common way is:

String name = "John";

Here, "John" is a String literal.

Java checks the String pool when a literal is used.

If an equal String already exists in the pool, Java can reuse it.

Example

String a = "Java";
String b = "Java";

Both variables can refer to the same pooled String object.

Conceptually:

String Pool
 
"Java"
  ↑  ↑
  a  b

2. Using the new Keyword

We can explicitly create a String object using new:

String name = new String("John");

This creates a new String object, even if an equal String already exists in the pool.

For example:

String a = "Java";
String b = new String("Java");
 
System.out.println(a == b);

Output

false

The two references refer to different String objects.

However:

System.out.println(a.equals(b));

Output

true

because their contents are equal.

3. Creating String from a Character Array

We can create a String from a char array.

char[] letters = {'J', 'a', 'v', 'a'};
 
String text = new String(letters);
 
System.out.println(text);

Output

Java

4. Creating String from a Byte Array

A String can also be created from a byte array.

byte[] data = {65, 66, 67};
 
String text = new String(data);
 
System.out.println(text);

Output

ABC

The actual characters depend on the character encoding used. For predictable results with text data, specify the intended charset when appropriate.

For example:

String text = new String(data, java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets.UTF_8);

5. Using String.valueOf()

The String.valueOf() method can convert primitive values and objects into their String representation.

int number = 100;
 
String text = String.valueOf(number);
 
System.out.println(text);

Output

100

Other examples:

String a = String.valueOf(10);
String b = String.valueOf(true);
String c = String.valueOf(10.5);

String Literal vs new String()

Consider:

String a = "Java";
String b = "Java";
 
String c = new String("Java");
String d = new String("Java");

Conceptually:

String Pool
 
       "Java"
       /    \
      a      b
 
 
Heap
 
   "Java"       "Java"
      ↑            ↑
      c            d

The literal references can share the pooled object.

The new expressions create distinct String objects.

Which Way Should You Normally Use?

For normal String values, use String literals:

String name = "John";

There is usually no need to write:

String name = new String("John");

The literal form is simpler and allows Java to use the String pool.

Important Point About new String()

When you write:

new String("Java")

the literal "Java" is itself a String literal and may be in the String pool, while new String(...) creates another String object.

Therefore:

String a = "Java";
String b = new String("Java");

can result in two distinct objects.

Comparing Strings Created in Different Ways

Use equals() to compare String contents:

String a = "Java";
String b = new String("Java");
 
System.out.println(a.equals(b));

Output

true

Do not use == when your goal is content comparison:

System.out.println(a == b);

Output

false

Summary

Key Takeaway

The most common way to create a String is by using a String literal. Java can reuse equal literals from the String pool. Using new String() explicitly creates a separate String object.