FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_23"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_23-b05)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 19.0-b09, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
java.util.HashSet's contains() does not use equals() to compare objects. It uses hashCode() instead. This differs from the specification of Collection interface.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
Define a new class A with one attribute, id.
Override its equals() that return true if this.id==other.id
Create a HashSet<A>.
Add an instance of A with id=1 to the HashSet.
Create another instance of A with id=1.
Use the new instance as the argument of HashSet's contains()
contains() returns false


REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import java.util.HashSet;
import java.util.LinkedList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Set;


public class MyClass {

/**
* @param args
*/
public static void main(String[] args) {
List<Dummy> dummyList = new LinkedList<MyClass.Dummy>();
MyClass a = new MyClass();
Dummy d1 = a.new Dummy(1);
dummyList.add(d1);
Set<Dummy> dummySet = new HashSet<Dummy>();
dummySet.add(d1);
boolean result = dummySet.contains(a.new Dummy(1));
System.out.println(result);
}

class Dummy {
int id;

public Dummy(int id) {
this.id = id;
}

@Override
public boolean equals(Object obj) {
if (! (obj instanceof Dummy)) {
return false;
}
Dummy other = (Dummy) obj;
return this.id == other.id;
}
}

}
---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Override hashCode() too.