String a != String a

[Blackwolf189]

The following is a method from a program that compares patterns. The object of this method is to turn an array of strings(characters strings) into an array of numbers like this

Input:    a a b b c
Output:  0 0 1 1 2

Input:    z c z d a
Output:  0 1 0 2 3

I have an array named hash that stores the values of letters already encountered. The problem is when i check the values of the array with the current letter from the string, nothing matches. if you run the program you will see what i am talking about.

       public static int[] makeCompareList(String[] characters)
       {
           String[] hash = new String[5]; // Array that stores the number code for each letter
           String checkletter = null;     // Letter currently being checked
           int numrep = 0;                // Number representative for a New letter
           int[] compare = new int[5];    // Number array returned
           for(int characterindex = 0;characterindex < 5;characterindex++) // Loop through inputed strings
           {
               int newelement = 1;
               checkletter = characters[characterindex];
               System.out.println("Character under review: "+checkletter);
               for(int hashindex = 0;hashindex < 5;hashindex++) // Loop through hash array
               { 
                   //Error Lies Here
                   if(checkletter.equals(hash[characterindex]))
                    {compare[characterindex] = hashindex; newelement = 0;break;}
                   else {System.out.println(checkletter + " != " + hash[hashindex]);}
               }
               if(newelement == 1)
               {
                   compare[characterindex] = numrep;
                   hash[numrep] = characters[characterindex];
                   System.out.println("Hash["+numrep+"] now equals "+hash[numrep]);
                   numrep ++;
               }
           }
           return compare;
       }
       
       public static void main(String[] args)
       {
           String[] array = {"a","b","c","d","a"};
           makeCompareList(array);
        }

[sjalle]

//Error Lies Here
if(checkletter.equals(hash[characterindex])) // <---- oooopps

change to;
if(checkletter.equals(hash[hashindex]))