Java Collections

The Collections Framework is supplied with all versions of the Java 2 platform and provides programmers with incredibly efficient ways to manipulate data. However, given the large number of methods and classes in this library, using them correctly is hardly a cakewalk. Well-known columnist and bestselling author John Zukowski gives the Java professional exactly what he or she needs to know about this vital library in order to maximize productivity. This practical book contains comprehensive coverage of the important Collections Framework from the working programmer's point of view, while staying away from academic abstractions.

Java Collections leads you through the standard Java support for maintaining abstract groups of data, from the historical collection classes available since the inception of Java time, through the Collections Framework introduced with the Java 2 platform, and on to third-party alternative libraries for times when the standard support isn't enough. If you're working with data in Java programs, you need to understand the Collections Framework. Let Zukowski's Java Collections be your guide!

Table of Contents

1. Java Collections Framework: An Overview
2. Arrays
3. The Vector and Stack Classes
4. The Enumeration Interface
5. The Dictionary, Hashtable, and Properties Classes
6. The BitSet Class
7. Collections Introduction
8. Sets
9. Lists
10. Maps
11. Sorting
12. Special Collections Support
13. Array Algorithm Support
14. Custom Implementations
15. Compatibility Issues
16. Advanced Usages
17. JGL Libraries
18. util.concurrent
19. Colt

For Java developers of all levels, Java Collections provides a truly indispensable guide to using the built-in collection classes, in an extremely clear and well-organized text. This title sets a high standard for a programming reference, one that will be appreciated by a wide range of readers.

Although the Java collection classes are not nearly as complicated as the Standard Template Library classes in C++, it can still be a bit daunting to figure out what's included and what's not. Beginning with the simple "historical" Java collection classes (for arrays, Vector, Hashtable, and Stack), the author shows you just how to do it, with clear reference to useful APIs for each collection type, plus short code snippets showing these APIs in action.

The standout feature of this title is its clear presentation of the Java Collection Framework, the built-in set of classes in today's Java 2 standard. Other texts can get muddled with their coverage of these classes, but this one never loses the reader. Starting with the APIs that are available for every collection class, the book builds to show what's available in linked lists and map classes. The author does a great job at avoiding the confusion between different "implementations" of these basic container shapes. (Of course, he does explain the difference between HashMap, WeakHashMap, and TreeMap, for example, but not before showing which APIs are common to all map classes.)

Beyond choosing and using the right collection class for the job, this text also excels at showing off the built-in algorithms that are available for manipulating collections (like for sorting and searching). Advanced sections give advice for defining your own custom collection classes should you need to go beyond the built-in classes. Final chapters look at third-party collection classes (like the JGL and util.concurrent package) for doing even more.

It's the clear focus on understanding and using today's Java collection classes effectively that helps make this title a winner. In all, Java Collections is a handy and truly worthwhile guide to using Java collections, something that all Java developers need to master to write effective software. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered:

• Guide to programming with Java collection classes
• The "historical" Java collection classes
• Arrays (declaring and creating arrays, copying and cloning, immutability, assignments and reflection, character arrays)
• The Vector and Stack classes (basic operations and programming tips)
• The Enumeration interface (custom enumeration classes)
• The Dictionary, Hashtable, and BitSet classes (APIs and programming hints)
• The Java Collections Framework
• The Collection interface (built-in APIs for all collections)
• Using sets (including HashSet and TreeSet)
• List classes (including bidirectional iteration)
• Maps (including map entries, the HashMap, WeakHashMap, and TreeMap classes)
• Sorting with collections (designing with Comparable, SortedSet, and SortedMap)
• Advanced features (prebuilt collections, searching and generic list operations)
• Array algorithm support (filling, sorting, and searching arrays)
• Hints for building custom collection classes
• Forward and backward compatibility with Java collection classes
• Choosing the right collection
• Alternative collection class libraries (JGL, util.concurrent, and Colt, installation and programming hints)
• Quick reference to collection APIs