ran into a issue with my java program : <p>So im pretty new to java and creating something for school.
My problem is the last If statements i make compare strings and i understand that != or >= doesnt work but i dont understand what to use in place of it. any help?</p>

<p>I've tried looking up the proper way to use that line but i just didnt really understand what exactly everyone was stating when comparing the 2 letters.</p>

<pre><code>package Secrets_hw2p1;

/**
 *
 * @author secrets
  */
  //importing Scanner
   //import scanner
    import java.util.Scanner;
       public class secrets_hw2p1 {

    /**
     * @param args the command line arguments
     */
       public static void main(String[] args) {
      // TODO code application logic here

    //Creating the Scanner object
    Scanner input = new Scanner (System.in);
    //getting students goal grade
    System.out.println("What is your Goal Letter Grade? ");
    String goalGrade = input.next();

    //Enter assignment scores. and read scores
    System.out.println("Please enter in your two assignment scores followed"
    +"by your two exam scores one at a time followed by enter ");
    float assignment1 = input.nextFloat();
    float assignment2 = input.nextFloat();
    float exam1 = input.nextFloat();
    float exam2 = input.nextFloat();

    //calculations of averages
    double goal = assignment1 * .40 + assignment2 * .40 + exam1 * .30 +
            exam2 * 0.30;
    int grade;
    //Calculate Letter grade
    if (goal &gt;= 90)
        grade = 'A';
    else if (goal &gt;= 80)
        grade = 'B';
    else if (goal &gt;= 70)
        grade = 'C';
    else 
        grade = 'D';



    //prompt the user for how they want there grade
     System.out.println("Press 1 to display letter grade or press 2 to"
     +"see if you met your goal ");  
     double number = input.nextDouble();

     //if user inputed 1
     if (number == 1)
        System.out.println ("Final grade:" + grade);
     //if user inputed 2      
     if (number == 2)  
        if (goalGrade != grade)
                System.out.println("You have not met or exceeded your goal" 
                        +" grade");
        else if (c1.goalGrade &gt;= grade)
                System.out.println("You met or exceded your goal grade !");



    }

}
</code></pre>
