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example of converting array to ArrayList and ArrayList to array in Java program

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3 example of converting array to ArrayList and ArrayList to array in Java program

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Java. Both array and ArrayList are quite common and every Java
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in form of object in either Array or ArrayList or sometime we find
either of them suitable for processing and we want to convert from How to Convert Collection to String in Java -
one array to ArrayList or ArrayList to array in Java. This short array Spring Framework Example
to ArrayList tutorial in Java will explain how quickly you can convert data from each other. So when you face such
situation don't bother just remember this tips and you will get through it. If you compare array vs ArrayList only significant
different is one is fixed size while other is not. This article is in continuation of my post Difference between Vector and
ArrayList in Java and How to Sort ArrayList in Java on descending order. On related not from Java 5 onwards ArrayList
class supports Generics in Java, which means you can convert an ArrayList to String into an String array or
ArrayList of Integer into an Integer Array. Generics provides type safety and remove casting during runtime.

How to convert Array to ArrayList in Java

In first section of this Java tutorial we will see how to convert from Array to ArrayList while in second section we will see
opposite of it i.e. from ArrayList to Array. Main difference between these two is that once declared you can not change the
size of former while later is dynamic which re-sizes itself whenever its capacity crossed threshold specified by load factor.
So you can say former is fixed-size and you later are re-sizable. java.util.Arraysclass act as a bridge between array
to arraylist and used to convert from array to arraylist or arraylist to array. If you like to learn more about Array you may
check How to detect if Array contains duplicate or not and How to sort Array elements in Java in ascending order.

1) Using Arrays.asList() method

Look at the below example, we have an array which contains different kind of asset class e.g. equity, gold and foreign
exchange etc and we want to convert into an arraylist. This is the simplest way of converting from array to arraylist.

String[] asset = {"equity", "stocks", "gold", "foreign exchange","fixed income", "futures",

"options"};
List assetList = Arrays.asList(asset);

Its worth to note following point while using Arrays.asList()method for array to arraylist conversion:

1) This method returns a List view of underlying array.

2) List returned by this method would be fixed size.
3) Most important point to note is when you change an element into this List corresponding element in original array
will also be changed. Follow Us
4) Another important point is since List is fixed size, you can not add element into it. If you try you will get exception. Follow @javinpaul 749 follow ers
5) This is the most efficient way of converting array to arraylist as per my knowledge because it doesn't copy the content
of underlying array to create list.
6) From Java 5 or JDK 1.5 onwards this method supports generic so you can generate type safe ArrayList from array.
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to know more about Generic see my post How Generic works in Java

One of the most important point related to Arrays.asList() method is that it returns a fixed size List not a read +523
only List, although you can not add()or remove()elements on this List you can still change existing
elements by using set method. If you are using this to create read only List than its wrong, Use
Collections.unmodifiableList method to create read only collection in Java.

2) Array to ArrayList by using Collections.addAll method

This example of converting an array to arraylist is not that efficient as the earlier method but its more
flexible.

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example of converting array to ArrayList and ArrayList to array in Java program

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List assetList = new ArrayList();
String[] asset = {"equity", "stocks", "gold", Like
"foriegn exchange", "fixed income", "futures",
"options"}; 1,056 people like Javarevisited.

Collections.addAll(assetList, asset);

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Important point about this method of array to ArrayList conversion F acebook social plugin
is :
1) Its not as fast as Arrays.asList() but more flexible.
2) This method actually copies the content of the underlying array into ArrayList provided.
3) Since you are creating copy of original array, you can add, modify and remove any element without affecting original
one.
4) If you wan to provide individual element you can do so by specifying them individually as comma separated. Which is a
very convenient way of inserting some more elements into existing list for example we can add some more asset classes
into our existing assetlist as below?

Collections.addAll(assetList, "Equity Derivatives", "Eqity Index Arbitrage" , "Mutual Fund");

3) Example of Converting ArrayList to Array using Collection's addAll method

This is another great way of converting an array to arraylist. We are essentially using Collection interface's addAll()
method for copying content from one list to another. Since List returned by Arrays.asList is fixed-size it’s not much of
use, this way we can convert that into proper arraylist. Subscribe by email:

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Arraylist newAssetList = new Arraylist(); By Javin Paul
newAssetList.addAll(Arrays.asList(asset));
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These were the three methods to convert an array to arraylist. You can also create arrays of ArrayList because list can
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hold any type of object.
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Array to List in Java using Spring Framework Followers

There is another easy way of converting array to ArrayListif you are using spring framework. spring framework
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provides several utility method in class CollectionUtils, one of the is CollectionUtils.arrayToList()which can
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convert an array into List as shown in below example of array to List conversion using spring framework. It’s worth noting
though List returned by arrayToList()method is unmodifiable just like the Listreturned by Arrays.asList(),You Members (575) More »
can not add()or remove()elements in this List. Spring API also provides several utility method to convert an ArrayList
into comma separated String in Java.

String [] currency = {"SGD", "USD", "INR", "GBP", "AUD", "SGD"};

System.out.println("Size of array: " + currency.length);
List<String> currencyList = CollectionUtils.arrayToList(currency);

//currencyList.add("JPY"); //Exception in thread "main"

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//currencyList.remove("GBP");//Exception in thread "main"

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System.out.println("Size of List: " + currencyList.size());
System.out.println(currencyList);
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In this example of arraylist to array we will convert our assetTradingList into String array.
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example of converting array to ArrayList and ArrayList to array in Java program
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Getting a clear idea of converting array to arraylist and back to arraylist and array saves a lot of time while writing code. It’s
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4 comments:

Anand said...
Nice One Javin!!!

Basic Details about the ArrayList in Java can be found by clicking here

Regards,
Anand.

June 29, 2011 6:12 AM

GeekDude said...
Hi nice explanation..you can find the ArrayList to HashSet Conversion here....

ArrayList to HashSet

July 4, 2011 11:11 PM

sudhansu(Gm Odihsa) said...

It is very nice coding.but any one only use in-built method.but without in-built method plz do it....

November 15, 2011 9:19 AM

Anonymous said...
I agree for constructing arraylist from array in java, Arrays.asList() is best choice but constructed List here is
immutable and it doesn't allow add() or remove() elements from List. If you want to construct proper List from

javarevisited.blogspot.sg/2011/06/converting-array-to-arraylist-in-java.html 3/4
39/17/12
example of converting array to ArrayList and ArrayList to array in Java program
Arary in Java you need to rely on other examples like adding individual array element etc.

March 20, 2012 8:10 PM

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