It seems there isn't. There is only one `String' datatype in Java, instance of class String, and no primivite `string' type. String literals represent instances

It seems there isn't. There is only one `String' datatype in Java, instance of class String, and no primivite `string' type. String literals represent instances of class String, as per http://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jls/se7/html/jls-4.html#jls-4.3.3 http://docs.oracle.com/javase/specs/jls/se7/html/jls-4.html#... Perhaps author meant JavaScript, which does have primitive `string' type, distinct from instances of class `String'?