8.2. ArrayList Methods

The following are ArrayList methods that are often used in programs.

  • int size() returns the number of elements in the list

  • boolean add(E obj) appends obj to the end of the list and returns true

  • E remove(int index) removes the item at the index and shifts remaining items to the left (to a lower index)

  • void add(int index, E obj) moves any current objects at index or beyond to the right (to a higher index) and inserts obj at the index

  • E get(int index) returns the item in the list at the index

  • E set(int index, E obj) replaces the item at index with obj

8.2.1. Size()

As we saw in the last lesson, you can get the number of items in a ArrayList using its size() method. The ArrayList starts out empty with a size of 0.

ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<String>();
System.out.println( list.size() );

Note

With arrays, you use the length field to get the number of items in the array. But, with an ArrayList you use the size() method to get the number of items in the ArrayList. You will not be penalized if you mix up length and size() in the CS A exam. The number of items in an empty ArrayList is 0.

8.2.2. Add(obj) to an ArrayList

You can add values to an ArrayList by using the method add(obj) which will add the object to the end of the list, just like you would join the end of the line to board a bus.

coding exercise Coding Exercise

Run the code below to see how the list changes as each object is added to the end. Notice that we added the same string to the list more than once. Lists can hold duplicate objects. Can you add your name to the list and then print out the list?

When adding Integer objects to the list, you can use the Integer constructor like add(new Integer(5)) in Java version 7 which is used on the exam (although this is deprecated and no longer used in Java version 9) or you can just add the int value directly like add(5) in any Java version and it will be changed into an Integer object automatically. This is called autoboxing. When you pull an int value out of a list of Integers that is called unboxing.

ArrayList<Integer> list = new ArrayList<Integer>();
list.add(new Integer(5)); // this will only work in Java 7
list.add(5); // this will work in all Java versions

You can put any kind of Objects into an ArrayList. Even objects for a class that you wrote. For example, here is an ArrayList of Students.

An example of an ArrayList of Student objects. Add a new student with your name and info in it.

8.2.3. Add(index,obj) in an ArrayList

There are actually two different add methods in the ArrayList class. The add(obj) method adds the passed object to the end of the list. The add(index,obj) method adds the passed object at the passed index, but first moves over any existing values to higher indicies to make room for the new object.

coding exercise Coding Exercise

What will the code below print out? Try figuring it out before running it. Remember that ArrayLists start at index 0 and that the add(index,obj) always has the index as the first argument.

Note

ArrayLists like arrays start numbering their elements from 0.

exercise Check your understanding

You can step through the code above by clicking on this Java Visualizer.

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Java Visualizer.

8.2.4. Remove(index) from ArrayList

You can also remove values from an ArrayList by using remove(index) to remove the item at the given index from the list. This will move all the other items over in the underlying array and decrease the size of the ArrayList by 1.

coding exercise Coding Exercise

What will the following code print out? Try to guess before you run it. Were you surprised? Read the note below.

Note

The remove(int index) method will remove the object at the index and shift left any values to the right of the current index. It doesn’t remove the object that matches the integer value given. In the example above it doesn’t remove the value 1. It removes the value 2 at index 1.

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following RemoveExample.

8.2.5. ArrayList get/set Methods

You can get the object at an index using obj = listName.get(index) and set the object at an index using listName.set(index,obj). Set/Get are used after you add and remove elements to an ArrayList to change or retrieve them.

Notice that ArrayLists use set/get methods instead of using the square brackets array[index] that arrays use. This is because ArrayList is a class with methods that provide access to the underlying array.

coding exercise Coding Exercise

Try to guess what the code below will print before running it. Can you get the last element in the nameList to print it out? Can you set the first element in the list to your name and print out the list?

exercise Check your understanding

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example1.

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example2.

8.2.6. Comparing arrays and ArrayLists

When do you use arrays and when do you use ArrayLists? Use an array when you want to store several items of the same type and you know how many items will be in the array and the items in the array won’t change in order or number. Use an ArrayList when you want to store several items of the same type and you don’t know how many items you will need in the list or when you want to remove items from the list or add items to the list while the program is running.

Here is a comparison of how to create arrays and ArrayLists:

// arrays must specify a size!
int[ ] highScores = new int[5];
String[ ] names = new String[5];

// ArrayLists are empty to start with
ArrayList<Integer> highScoreList = new ArrayList<Integer>();
ArrayList<String> nameList = new ArrayList<String>();

Here is a comparison of how to access and change elements in arrays and ArrayLists.

Operation

array

ArrayList

length/size

array.length

list.size()

Access

value = array[index];

value = list.get(index);

Modify

array[index] = value;

list.set(index,value);

Note that the ArrayList methods add and remove do not have a simple equivalent in arrays because they actually change the size of the underlying array and move elements over.

8.2.7. groupwork Programming Challenge : Array to ArrayList

Rewrite the following code that uses an array to use an ArrayList instead. In the comments write why you think an ArrayList is a better data structure to use than an array for this problem.

8.2.8. Summary

  • The following ArrayList methods, including what they do and when they are used, are part of the Java Quick Reference:

    • int size() : Returns the number of elements in the list

    • boolean add(E obj) : Appends obj to end of list; returns true

    • void add(int index, E obj) : Insertss obj at position index (0 <= index <= size), moving elements at position index and higher to the right (adds 1 to their indices) and adds 1 to size

    • remove(int index) — Removes element from position index, moving elements at position index + 1 and higher to the left (subtracts 1 from their indices) and subtracts 1 from size; returns the element formerly at position index

    • E get(int index) : Returns the element at position index in the list

    • E set(int index, E obj) : Replaces the element at position index with obj; returns the element formerly at position index

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