How to compare strings alphabetically in Java?

To compare strings alphabetically in Java, use the compareToIgnoreCase method.

A.compareToIgnoreCase(B) returns a negative number when A precedes B.

int result = "Amanda".compareToIgnoreCase("Sally");

System.out.println(result); // -18
System.out.println(result < 0 ? "Amanda is before Sally" : "Amanda is after Sally"); // Amanda is before Sally

A.compareToIgnoreCase(B) returns a positive number when A follows B.

int result = "Zack".compareToIgnoreCase("Wendy");

System.out.println(result); // 3
System.out.println(result < 0 ? "Zack is before Wendy" : "Zack is after Wendy"); // Zack is after Wendy