# 
## What is the `hashCode` method?

The **`hashCode()` method** is a static method of the `Objects` class. This method takes in an object and returns the input object's hash code. The method returns zero if the passed object points to `null`.

> Refer to [What is the hashCode method in Java?](https://www.educative.io/answers/what-is-the-hashcode-method-in-java) to learn more about hash codes in Java.

To use the `hashCode()` method, you need to import the following module.

```
java.util.Objects
```

# 
#  Syntax

The syntax of the `hashCode()` method is as follows.


---
```
public static int hashCode(Object o)
```
---

# 
## Parameters

* `Object o`: the object whose hash code needs to be returned.  

##
## Return value

The method returns the hash code of a non-null argument and zero for a `null` argument.

# 
## Code
## 
### Example 1

In the code below, we pass the `null` value as an object to the method.

import java.util.Objects;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Object input = null;
        System.out.println(Objects.hashCode(input));
    }
}

If we run the program, it should print zero.

```
0
```

### Example 2

In the code below, we pass an array list as an object to the method:

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Objects;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        List<String> input = new ArrayList<>();
        System.out.println(Objects.hashCode(input));
    }
}

If we run the program above, it should print $1$, which is the code value of the array list.

```
1
```

What is Objects.hashCode() in Java?

The Objects.hashCode() method in Java returns the hash code of a given object, or zero if null.

What is Objects.hashCode() in Java?

What is the hashCode method?

Syntax

Parameters

Return value

Code

Example 1

Example 2

What is the `hashCode` method?