Does it make sense to define a final String in Java? [duplicate]

Answer 1

The String object is immutable but what it is is actually a reference to a String object which could be changed.

For example:

String someString = "Lala";

You can reassign the value held by this variable (to make it reference a different string):

someString = "asdf";

However, with this:

final String someString = "Lala";

Then the above reassignment would not be possible and would result in a compile-time error.

Answer 2

It makes sense. The final keyword prevents future assignments to the variable. The following would be an error in java:

final String x = "foo";
x = "bar" // error on this assignment

Answer 3

final refers to the variable, not the object, so yes, it make sense.

e.g.

final String s = "s";
s = "a"; // illegal

Answer 4

References are final, Objects are not. You can define a mutable object as final and change state of it. What final ensures is that the reference you are using cannot ever point to another object again.