Limitations of Arrays:
- Arrays are fixed in size. need to estimate the size of an array while declaration itself. once array created we can not increase the size of an array.
- Arrays can hold only homogeneous data elements. Means we can add same type of elements in an array. While declaring an array we need to mention the data type.
- int a[]= new int[10];
- By using Object array we can add heterogeneous elements to the array.
- Object o= new Object[10];
- There is no underlying data structure for arrays.
- Arrays are not recommended to use with respect to memory.
- Performance wise arrays are good to use.
Collections
- Java Collection framework added in J2SE 1.2 release.
- Collections are set of classes and interfaces.
- By using Collections we can store and manipulate objects easily.
- Collections can hold heterogeneous data elements.
- Collections are no fixed in size and dynamically increase in size.
- Collection of objects. No primitives.
- All collection classes having underlying data structure.
- Collections are good with respect to memory. Bad with respect to performance.
Collection interface Hierarchy:
- java.util package contains all collections classes and interfaces.
- Lets see collection interface hierarchy.
- under Collection. Set , List , Queue are the sub interfaces.
Collections Abstract classes and classes:
- Let us see all the abstract classes implementing all the above interfaces and classes which extending these abstract classes.
- To Collect Objects in array format we choose Collection hierarchy classes.
- Main abstract class is AbstractCollection.
- AbstractSet
- AbstractList
- AbstractQueue
- AbstractSequentialList
- All the classes in Collection hierarchy are
- TreeSet
- HashSet
- LinkedHashSet
- LinkedList
- ArrayList
- Vector
- Stack
- PriorityQueue
- To collect unique elements we must choose Set implemented classes
- To collect unique and duplicate elements in indexed order we choose List implemented classes.
- To retrieve elements in FIFO manner we choose Queue implemented classes.
Map Hierarchy:
- In this hierarchy Hashtable and properties classes are avilable since java 1.0.
- LinkedHashMap class is available since java 1.4
- NavigableMap is available since java 6 and all other classes available since java 1.2.
- SortedMap and NavigableMap are two main interfaces.
- TreeMap
- HashMap
- LinkedHashMap
- Hashtable
- Properties are the classes.
- To collect objects in key, value pair format we choose Map hierarchy classes.
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