Hi,
you may find documents showing equivalent types.
Often there are no 100% equivalent types.
So from these documents, I may get an idea, but in either case I cross check the according datsheets .. especially for the values that are important for my application.
Example:
Let´s say they give an equivalent for a BJT.
It may be a suitable equivalent for "switching applications" .. but maybe unsuitabe regarding:
* linear operation
* gain
* noise
* temperature
.. and so on.
So - as I designer - I see it as my job to guarantee for proper operation of the whole application.
Klaus