Unlocking the Power of Java Lists
When it comes to storing and accessing elements in a sequential manner, Java’s List interface is the perfect solution. As an ordered collection, List extends the Collection interface, offering a range of benefits and functionalities.
Meet the Classes that Bring List to Life
Since List is an interface, we can’t create objects directly from it. Instead, we rely on classes that implement List, such as:
‣ ArrayList
‣ LinkedList
‣ Vector
‣ Stack
These classes, part of the Collections framework, allow us to tap into the power of List.
Getting Started with List
To begin using List, you’ll need to import the java.util.List package. From there, you can create objects like list1 and list2, which can leverage the functionalities of List. For example, you might create an object of the ArrayList class and another of the LinkedList class.
Unleashing the Methods of List
As a subinterface of Collection, List inherits all its methods. Some of the most commonly used methods include:
‣ add()
‣ clear()
‣ contains()
‣ isEmpty()
‣ iterator()
‣ remove()
‣ size()
Diving Deeper: Implementing ArrayList and LinkedList
Let’s take a closer look at how ArrayList and LinkedList implement the List interface.
ArrayList Implementation
Output: Learn more about ArrayList
LinkedList Implementation
Output: Learn more about LinkedList
List vs. Set: What’s the Difference?
Both List and Set inherit from the Collection interface, but they have distinct characteristics:
‣ Lists allow duplicate elements, while sets do not.
‣ Lists store elements in a specific order, whereas sets store them in groups, similar to mathematical sets.
Now that we’ve explored the basics of List, we’ll delve deeper into its implementations in ArrayList and LinkedList classes in our next tutorials. Stay tuned!