[SOLVED] Should I use an arraylist or an array?

[matzahboy]

I was looking at a practice Computer Science AP test today and I came across something I'd never seen before: an arraylist. I'd been using arrays for a while now and when I looked at the description of the array class, I realized that you can do a lot more with an arraylist than an array. So I ask those who are familiar with both, in what general situations would you use an array instead of an arraylist?

[emceenugget]

An ArrayList is an implementation of the List interface using an array. There is nothing you can do with ArrayList that you can't do with an array, though you would have to implement the methods yourself.

I would only use an ArrayList, or any kind of List, when I can have a variable amount of objects stored in the List, probably based on input.

That's just me, though. I'm sure other people feel differently.

[Fubarable]

Hello matzahboy and welcome.

I would use arrays when I know the size of the collection and I know that it won't change. I'll use arraylist when either of the above are false.

signed MatzahBoySoup.

[matzahboy]

That makes sense. Is there a downside to using an arraylist if I do know the size of the collection and I know I won't change it?

BTW... I do love matzah ball soup, but I'm not a cannibal or Michael Jackson, so I won't eat MatzahBOY Soup.

[Fubarable]

If you need to iterate over the collection fast or do operations on it very fast, arrays I believe are faster than arraylists as there's less overhead involved.

I always thought that my mom made the best matzah-ball soup. then I found out she uses a mix from a box.

[matzahboy]

Thanks. Do you know where I could find a tutorial to learn more about arraylists (from a beginner's prospective, since I just found out they existed)?

Your mom's matzah ball soup is no match for my grandma's!