Integer valueOf() Method in Java

The Integer.valueOf() method of the java.lang.Integer class is used to convert primitive values or strings into Integer objects. It is commonly preferred over constructors because it supports caching and better performance.

Why use valueOf() instead of new Integer()?

• valueOf() may return cached Integer objects (for values between -128 and 127).
• Avoids unnecessary object creation.
• Recommended approach since constructors like new Integer() are deprecated.

Method Variants of Integer.valueOf()

1. Integer.valueOf(int a)

Converts a primitive int value into its corresponding Integer wrapper object.

Syntax

public static Integer valueOf(int a)

• Parameters : a - primitive integer value
• Return Value : Integer object representing the given int

Example 1: valueOf(int) with Positive Number

Output Value = 85

Explanation:

• valueOf(85) converts the primitive int to an Integer.
• JVM may reuse a cached object.
• Output is the same numeric value.

Example 2: valueOf(int) with Negative Number

Output Value = -9185

Explanation:

• Negative integers are also supported.
• A new or cached Integer object is returned.
• Value remains unchanged.

2: Integer.valueOf(String str)

The java.lang.Integer.valueOf(String str) is an inbuilt method which is used to return an Integer object, holding the value of the specified String str.

Syntax

public static Integer valueOf(String str)

• Parameters: This method accepts a single parameter str of String type that is to be parsed.
• Return Value: The method returns an Integer object holding the value represented by the string argument.

Example 1: valueOf(String) with Positive Number

Integer Value = 424

Explanation:

• String "424" is parsed internally.
• Returned value is an Integer object.
• Parsing happens in base 10 by default.

Example 2: valueOf(String) with Negative Number

Output Value = -6156

Explanation:

• Minus sign is correctly interpreted.
• String is converted into Integer.
• Returned object holds the parsed value.

3. Integer.valueOf(String str, int radix)

The java.lang.Integer.valueOf(String s, int radix) is an inbuilt method which returns an Integer object, holding the value extracted from the specified String when parsed with the base given by the second argument.

Syntax

public static Integer valueOf(String str, int radix)

Parameter: The method accepts two parameters:

• str: This is of String type which is to be parsed.
• radix: This is of Integer type and refers to the base to be used to interpret str.

Return Value : The method returns an Integer object holding the value represented by the string argument in the specified base or radix.

Example 1: valueOf(String, radix)

520
4113
10
1021

Explanation:

• "1010" in base 8 is converted to decimal 520.
• "1011" in base 16 converts to 4113.
• "1010" in base 2 converts to 10.
• "1021" in base 10 remains unchanged.