To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. From Java 7 onwards, the preferred way of writing this is List<String> stringList = new ArrayList<>(); but this notation is unavailable in earlier versions of Java. Converting a List to String in Java Last updated: June 29, 2023 Written by: baeldung Java + Java String Get started with Spring 5 and Spring Boot 2, through the Learn Spring course: > CHECK OUT THE COURSE 1. Why adding an element (of correct type) into a List through a method of > is a compilation error? T for type, E for Element, V for value and K for key. 4) You can't mix oranges and apples. A. 3) T, E and U are the same, but people tend to use e.g. They mix Generic and non-Generic types. Which is faster ? Not the answer you're looking for? You can also pass a List as parameters and returns List from functions. If you now want to change the type of list used, you will have to change all function parameters and return types and so on throughout your program (wherever you have had to create an ArrayList to work with your variable). Is the part of the v-brake noodle which sticks out of the noodle holder a standard fixed length on all noodles? If you have a fixed number of strings use String[]. Not the answer you're looking for? In C, the parameter set requires an Object[]. Why add an increment/decrement operator when compound assignments exist? But you're right; it means, "a list of something, but I'm not going to tell you what". Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Lists are flexible. String[] would have a fixed size when initialized and so would have a fixed memory size even if the items are not present in the array. What is the grammatical basis for understanding in Psalm 2:7 differently than Psalm 22:1? It will only generate a runtime error when the casting is bad. Extract data which is inside square brackets and seperated by comma, Lie Derivative of Vector Fields, identification question, How to get Romex between two garage doors, Cultural identity in an Multi-cultural empire, Backquote List & Evaluate Vector or conversely. "Yes, it is allowed to do it this way in order to achieve backward compatibility with previous Java versions. You need do null check on any reference type, including the list. Converting 'ArrayList to 'String[]' in Java, Remove outermost curly brackets for table of variable dimension, Spying on a smartphone remotely by the authorities: feasibility and operation. Any object of any type can be put inside it, contrary to a List, for example, which only accepts strings. // include double quote String example = "This is the "String" class"; If you have a fixed number of strings use String []. List is a fundamental and widely-used collection type in the Java Collections Framework. calculation of standard deviation of the mean changes from the p-value or z-value of the Wilcoxon test. However using Stringbuilder for storing list of String you may have to use special character for separation and then split() to retrieve back your list. StringBuilder is completly different. An array (something like int []) is a built in type while ArrayList is a regular class part of the Java standard library. Keep in mind each container has advantages over the other in just few operations. String literal To make Java more memory efficient (because no new objects are created if it exists already in the string constant pool). 5 Answers Sorted by: 5 If you have one string to presist, use a basic String field. Escape character in Java Strings. The second type specifically creates a Arraylist and you are stuck with it :), In either cases you are creating an object of. The notation List> means "a list of something (but I'm not saying what)". 2) You can pass nothing while using " " Java Generics: List, List