java - Why must I override toString method instead of just creating another method?

Question

Is there anything special about toString that makes it unique and more useful to Override compared to just leaving the toString method alone and create a separate method.

For example the following codes. What is the advantage/ disadvantage to Override toString method? Both the methods returns the same output.

@Override
public String toString(){ 
    return String.format("%s is a %s", "Apple", "fruit.");
}

public String newMethod(){
    return String.format("%s is a %s", "Apple", "fruit.");
}

Answer 1

You should do it for 2 main reasons (there may be more):

1. It's a convention. By adhering to a convention, other users of you class will instinctively know how to use them. For example, if I wanted a string representation of a class that you built, my first thought would be to call toString on it. I would never think of calling a custom method for this.

2. Framework classes were built with this in mind. For example, System.out.println(myObj) will call ToString on myObj.