Best implementation for hashCode method for a collection

Question

How do we decide on the best implementation of hashCode() method for a collection (assuming that equals method has been overridden correctly) ?

Answer 1

Here is another JDK 1.7+ approach demonstration with superclass logics accounted. I see it as pretty convinient with Object class hashCode() accounted, pure JDK dependency and no extra manual work. Please note Objects.hash() is null tolerant.

I have not include any equals() implementation but in reality you will of course need it.

import java.util.Objects;

public class Demo {

    public static class A {

        private final String param1;

        public A(final String param1) {
            this.param1 = param1;
        }

        @Override
        public int hashCode() {
            return Objects.hash(
                super.hashCode(),
                this.param1);
        }

    }

    public static class B extends A {

        private final String param2;
        private final String param3;

        public B(
            final String param1,
            final String param2,
            final String param3) {

            super(param1);
            this.param2 = param2;
            this.param3 = param3;
        }

        @Override
        public final int hashCode() {
            return Objects.hash(
                super.hashCode(),
                this.param2,
                this.param3);
        }
    }

    public static void main(String [] args) {

        A a = new A("A");
        B b = new B("A", "B", "C");

        System.out.println("A: " + a.hashCode());
        System.out.println("B: " + b.hashCode());
    }

}