# 9.12. Getting and Setting Values in a List¶

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).

Note

Remember that you can get the value at an array index using value = arrayName[index]. This is different from how you get the value from a list using obj = listName.get(index). You can set the value at an index in an array using arrayName[index] = value, but with lists you use listName.set(index, object).

# 9.13. Removing an Object at an Index¶

You can also remove an object at an index in a list using remove(index) which returns the removed object and shifts the remaining objects past the index left one index.

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 1. It removes the 2 at index 1.

8-6-1: What will print when the following code executes?

List<Integer> list1 = new ArrayList<Integer>();
list1.set(2, new Integer(4));
System.out.println(list1);

• [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• The set will replace the item at index 2 so this can not be right.
• [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]
• The add with an index of 2 and a value of 5 adds the 5 at index 2 not 3. Remember that the first index is 0.
• [1, 2, 5, 4, 6]
• The set will change the item at index 2 to 4. The add of 5 at index 2 will move everything else to the right and insert 5. The last add will be at the end of the list.
• [1, 5, 2, 4, 6]
• The add with an index of 2 and a value of 5 adds the 5 at index 2 not 1. Remember that the first index is 0.

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example-8-6-1.

8-6-2: What will print when the following code executes?

List<String> list1 = new ArrayList<String>();
list1.set(1, "Destini");
System.out.println(list1);

• ["Sarah", "Destini", "Layla", "Sharrie"]
• Remember that the first index is 0 not 1.
• ["Sarah", "Destini", "Anaya", "Layla", "Sharrie"]
• set changes the value and the first index is 0 not 1.
• ["Anaya", "Sarah", "Sharrie"]
• add at index 1 adds the new value at that index but moves right any existing values.
• ["Anaya", "Sarah", "Destini", "Sharrie"]
• The list is first ["Anaya", "Layla", "Sharrie"] and then changes to ["Anaya", Destini", "Sharrie"] and then to ["Anaya", "Sarah", "Destini", "Sharrie"]

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example-8-6-2.

8-6-3: What will print when the following code executes?

List<Integer> numList = new ArrayList<Integer>();
numList.set(2,new Integer(4));
System.out.println(numList);

• [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
• The set will replace the 3 at index 2 so this isn't correct.
• [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]
• The add with an index of 1 and a value of 5 adds the 5 at index 1 not 3. Remember that the first index is 0.
• [1, 2, 5, 4, 6]
• The set will change the item at index 2 to 4. The add of 5 at index 1 will move everything else to the right and insert 5. The last add will be at the end of the list.
• [1, 5, 2, 4, 6]
• add without an index adds at the end, set will replace the item at that index, add with an index will move all current values at that index or beyond to the right.

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example-8-6-3.

8-6-4: What will print when the following code executes?

List<Integer> list1 = new ArrayList<Integer>();
list1.remove(1);
System.out.println(list1);

• [2, 3]
• The remove will remove the item at the given index.
• [1, 2, 3]
• The item at index 1 will be removed and all the other values shifted left.
• [1, 2]
• The 3 is at index 2. The item at index 1 will be removed.
• [1, 3]
• The item at index 1 is removed and the 3 is moved left.

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example-8-6-4.

8-6-5: What will print when the following code executes?

List<Integer> list1 = new ArrayList<Integer>();
list1.remove(2);
System.out.println(list1);

• [2, 3]
• This would be true if it was remove(0)
• [1, 2, 3]
• The remove will remove a value from the list, so this can't be correct.
• [1, 2]
• The 3 (at index 2) is removed
• [1, 3]
• This would be true if it was remove(1)

You can step through the code above by clicking on the following Example-8-6-5.

Next Section - 9.14. Looping Through a List