string compare alphabetically java code example

Example 1: java compare strings alphabetically

String a = "HYRE"; 
String b = "AGNYG";  

int compare = a.compareTo(b);  

if (compare < 0) {  
    //a is smaller
}
else if (compare > 0) {
    //a is larger 
}
else {  
    //a is equal to b
}

Example 2: java compare strings alphabetically

Different 'Collation Strength' values give different sort results: 
[Äbc, äbc, Àbc, àbc, Abc, abc, ABC] - Original Data
[Äbc, äbc, Àbc, àbc, Abc, abc, ABC] Primary
[Abc, abc, ABC, Àbc, àbc, Äbc, äbc] Secondary
[abc, Abc, ABC, àbc, Àbc, äbc, Äbc] Tertiary

Case kicks in only with Tertiary Collation Strength  : 
[cache, CACHE, Cache] - Original Data
[cache, CACHE, Cache] Primary
[cache, CACHE, Cache] Secondary
[cache, Cache, CACHE] Tertiary

Accents kick in with Secondary Collation Strength.
Compare with no accents present: 
Collator sees them as the same : abc, ABC - Primary
Collator sees them as the same : abc, ABC - Secondary
Collator sees them as DIFFERENT: abc, ABC - Tertiary

Compare with accents present: 
Collator sees them as the same : abc, ÀBC - Primary
Collator sees them as DIFFERENT: abc, ÀBC - Secondary
Collator sees them as DIFFERENT: abc, ÀBC - Tertiary