EqualsBuilder vs own equals method

Question

I just came across a code using EqualsBuilder() in equals method. Is there any advantage of using it instead of writing (or generating from eclipse) our own logic? A simple example would be more helful.

Edit : If it doesn't have any benefits than having less code in the class, isn't there is overhead of reflection?

Answer 1

There are a few ways to approach this.

1. You can roll your own - that has the highest likelihood of getting something subtle wrong.

2. You can have Eclipse generate your equals and hashCode methods for you - that leaves a lot of code in place, subject to inadvertent edits, and subject to failure to update when the class acquires a new field.

3. You can use EqualsBuilder; it avoids the aforementioned problems.

4. Best of all, at least in my experience, you can use lombok's EqualsAndHashCode annotation.