equals - When is it appropriate to use reference equality vs object equality in Java? -

i understand different between these 2 terms , methods use if wanted check if 2 objects had references or same value. question is, when ever have check if 2 objects have same reference opposed checking if 2 objects have same content or value(there has never been time i've had check if 2 objects have reference)?

that's not "instead of" equality check, reference check before equality check performance , null-safety reasons.

in effect, happens when call objects.equals(a,b) instead of a.equals(b).

public static boolean equals(object a, object b) {      return (a == b) || (a != null && a.equals(b)); }