Java

Java: Collection Framework Introduction

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A collection is an object (also called container) to deal with a group of objects or elements as a single unit. These objects called as elements of Collection. Collections are used to perform operations like the store, retrieve, manipulate, communicate and aggregate.

A collection can have a different type of data. Based on data can decide the type collection data structure.

  • Homogeneous
  • Heterogeneous
  • Unique
  • Duplicate

See Also: 

Real-life Example of Collection

Here are some real-life examples of collections:

  • LinkedList: Your web page visiting history.
  • LinkedList: Train Coaches are connected to each other.
  • LinkedList: Our brain, when we remember something memory follow association because of one memory link to another.  This way recall in sequence.
  • Stack & LinkedList: Stack of Plates or Towel at the party. The top plate always picks first.
  • Queue & LinkedList: Queue/line of the person standing on the railway ticket window or for food in the mess.
  • A classroom is a collection of students.
  • A money bank is a collection of coins.
  • A school bag is a collection of books.

Why need collection?

There are four ways in Java to store values by JVM.

1:Variable approach

If we need to handle one, two or three or fewer numbers of values then the variable approach is a good bit if need to deal with so many objects like 5000 then variable approach have some drawback:

  • The limitation of a variable is that it can store only one value at a time.
  • Readability and reusability of the code will be down.
  • JVM will take more time for the execution.

2: Using a class object approach

Using a class object, we can store multiple “fixed” numbers of values of different types. For example, suppose we are creating a class named Person.

class Person{
String Name ;
int age ;
}

If you create the object of Person class like this

Person p1=new Person(); // So can you think how many values can store in this person object?

The answer is only two i.e name and age. but if you will want to store the third value, it will not possible.

3: Using an array object approach

Array improved the readability of code, by using a single variable for a huge number of values but there are various problems and limitations with the array.


Student[] st=new Student[5000];
  1. Array allow to store only homogeneous data type.
  2. Array is static and fixed in length size.
  3. Array concept help with standard data structure, but when need to deal with the sorting of objects, search for a specific item, etc.

4: Collection Object:

By using a collection object, we can store the same or different data without any size limitation.

What is a Framework in Java?

A framework is a set of several classes and interfaces which provide a readymade architecture.

What is a Collections Framework?

A collection framework provides a unified readymade architecture for storing and manipulating a group of objects. All collections frameworks contain the following:

  • Interfaces: Interfaces generally forms a hierarchy and allow collections object to be manipulated independently of the details of their representation.
  • Implementations: Provides a concrete representation by data structure and implementation of  collections interfaces.
  • Algorithms: The methods that perform useful operations, such as searching and sorting, on objects that implement collection interfaces.

Benefits of Collections Framework

Collections Framework provides lots of benefits:

  • Reduces programming effort: The Collections framework provides useful data structures and algorithms so that developers can concentrate on programming logic only.
  • Increases program performance and quality: Collections Framework provides high-quality data structures and algorithms implementations for good performance. These collections interface APIs are interchangeable so that easily tuned by switching collection implementations.
  • Allows interoperability among unrelated APIs: These data structures are interchangeable so that choose data structure and algorithms according to requirement.
  • Reduces effort to learn and to use new APIs: Most of APIs are common for collections framework because of the inherent Collection interface. only some APIs need to remember that are specific to the data structure.
  • Reduces effort to design new APIs: If new data structure and algorithm change create polymorphism of API and change the internal algorithm of APIs.
  • Fosters software reuse: If new data structure added use standard APIs so that easy to learn for developers.

References