equal method is used to check whether the two strings are 
equal(same). exmpl: if the 1st string is 'deva' then it ll 
check the 2nd is also 'deva'. whereas = is a assignment 
operator used to assign a value to the variable.

== is userd to compare both are of same type 
equals is used to compare both are of same contents


EX:
String s1="raju";
String s2=new String("raju");
if(s1.equals(s2))
System.out.println(" if(s1.equals(s2)");  //true
if(s1==s2)
System.out.println(" s1==s2");   //false

== checks the reference value, that the reference are of 
same object or not.

equals method check two strings are same or not

equals() method is from Object Class.So this is the method
 to check the equality between two objects.This method 
implements the equalence relation.

ex obj1     o1  = "ravi";
   obj2     o2  = "ravi";

   o1.equals(o2) ;// returns true.

== Operator. no doubt this is the operator. It can be used 
in two ways
1:To compare the values of primitive variables.
2.To compare the object refference variables.
it returns true if refference variable reffering to the 
same object.

ex obj1  a
   obj2  b
   obj1  c

a==c----> returns true.
a==b----> returns false.

equal method compare the the content of the strings,where 
as == compares the referance variables .
for example
string s1 = 'ramana'
string  s2= ' ramana'
if(s1==s2)
s.o.p("s1, s2 are same");
else
s.o.p(" s1, s2 are not same"); 

ans = s1,s2 are not same because == compares the referance 
variables.

Hi...
"equals()" method always compares the content of an 
object,but "==" operator compares the memory locations
(references).
eg: String s1="KOTAGUDIBANDA";
Where "s1" is a reference and "KOTAGUDIBANDA"is a content.

Hi Ravi,
a==c----> returns true, only if obj1 c = a.

== checks wheather two strings are pointing to same location
or not.

equals method checks wheather the strings are same or not

equals will compare two objects,== will compare whether two 
reference variables refer to same object or not

equals method will compare two strings where two strings are
equal or not but == method will compare reference variables.

equal method also indirectly use == method i.e hashcode
(),there will be no difference b/w equals and == unless 
until u override the equal method

Let me know if iam wrong