When working with collections in Java, developers often come across two commonly used classes: ArrayList and Vector. While they both provide dynamic arrays, there are some important differences between the two. In this article, we will explore and compare ArrayList and Vector, highlighting their features, performance, and usage. By understanding these differences, you can make informed decisions on which class to use for your specific requirements.
ArrayList vs Vector : Major Differences
To provide a clear overview of the distinctions for ArrayList vs Vector, let’s compare them side by side.
| Feature | ArrayList | Vector |
|---|---|---|
| Thread-safe | No | Yes |
| Synchronization | None | Implicit |
| Performance | Faster | Slower |
| Growth Strategy | Increment by a factor of 1.5 | Double the current size |
| Legacy Class | No | Yes |
| Iterator Fail-Fast | Yes | Yes |
| Traversal | Uses Iterator | Can use both the Iterator and Enumeration |
| When to Use | Single-threaded applications | Multi-threaded environments with thread-safety requirements |
Sample Java Code: ArrayList vs Vector
Here’s a Java sample code showcasing the usage of ArrayList and Vector.
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Vector;
public class ListExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Creating an ArrayList
ArrayList<String> arrayList = new ArrayList<>();
// Adding elements to ArrayList
arrayList.add("Apple");
arrayList.add("Banana");
arrayList.add("Orange");
// Accessing elements in ArrayList using index
System.out.println("Elements in ArrayList:");
for (int i = 0; i < arrayList.size(); i++) {
System.out.println(arrayList.get(i));
}
// Creating a Vector
Vector<String> vector = new Vector<>();
// Adding elements to Vector
vector.add("Red");
vector.add("Green");
vector.add("Blue");
// Accessing elements in Vector using enumeration
System.out.println("Elements in Vector:");
Enumeration<String> enumeration = vector.elements();
while (enumeration.hasMoreElements()) {
System.out.println(enumeration.nextElement());
}
}
}
In the above code, we first create an ArrayList and add elements to it using the add() method. We then access the elements in the ArrayList using the index and print them.
Next, we create a Vector and add elements to it using the add() method. To access the elements in the Vector, we use an Enumeration and iterate over it using the hasMoreElements() and nextElement() methods.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, ArrayList and Vector are both widely used classes for managing dynamic arrays in Java. While ArrayList offers better performance and is suitable for single-threaded environments, Vector provides inherent thread-safety and is ideal for multi-threaded scenarios. Understanding their differences in terms of synchronization, performance, and growth strategies allows you to choose the appropriate class for your specific needs. Whether you prioritize speed or thread-safety, both ArrayList and Vector offer valuable options for efficient data manipulation in Java.
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