How to Convert Array List to Array in Java

The Array List is a subset of the collection of frameworks, which is present in “java.util” package. It illustrates a dynamic array in Java. Although, it can be slower than standard arrays but it sure seems to be helpful in programs where numerous manipulation in the array is needed

• Features of Array List
• Some common methods in Java 
• Converting Array List to Array () syntax.
  • Array List to Array() – Convert to Object Array
  • Array List to Array(T[]a) – Convert to Object Array

Features of Array Lists

• The Array List inherits Abstract List class and implements the List interface.
• The Array List is initialized by size; however, its size can increase if collection grows or shrinks if objects are extracted from the collection.
• The Java Array List provides us with random access to the lists.
• Array Lists cannot be utilized for older types, like int, char, etc. A wrapper class is used for such cases. 
• The Array List in Java can be seen as similar to vectors in C++.

The Java Array Lists constitute of Constructors and Methods. The below details mentioned is a list of few constructors and methods along with their use and functions.

• ArrayList(): This constructor is utilized to create an empty array list
• ArrayList(Collection c): This constructor is utilized to create an array list initialized with elements from collection c.
• ArrayList(int capacity): This constructor is utilized to create an array list with an initial capacity being specified.

Let us look at a simple code to create an Array List.

Example:

import java.io.*;
import java.util.*;

class arrayli {
      public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
           int n = 5;
           ArrayList<Integer> arrli = new ArrayList<Integer>(n);
           for (int i = 1; i <= n; i++)
                 arrli.add(i);
           System.out.println(arrli);
           arrli.remove(3);
           System.out.println(arrli);
           for (int i = 0; i < arrli.size(); i++)
                 System.out.print(arrli.get(i) + " ");
      }
}

//Output:

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
[1, 2, 3, 5]
1 2 3 5

Some common methods in Java 

• forEach​(Consumer action): This performs a specific action for each element of the repetitive factor until all elements have been processed or an action throws an exception.
• retainAll​(Collection c): This retains only the elements in this list which are contained in a specific collection.
• removeIf​(Predicate filter): This extracts all of the elements of the collection that satisfy the given predicate.
• contains​(Object o): This returns true if a list has the specified element.
• remove​(int index): This removes the element at a given specific position in this list.
• remove​(Object o): This removes the initial occurrence of a specified element from this list if it is present.
• get​(int index): It returns the element at a specific position in this list.
• subList​(int fromIndex, int toIndex): It returns a portion of this list between the specified from Index, inclusive, and to Index, exclusive etc.
• spliterator​(): It creates a late-binding and fail-fast Split iterator over the elements in this list.

Converting Array List to Array () syntax.

There are two methods:

• The first method will not accept any argument and returns an array of the object type. It is our responsibility to iterate the objects array, find the desired element and typecast to the class type we want.
• In the second method, the runtime type of a returned array is of a specified array. If a list fits in a specified array, it will be returned in it. Else, a new array is immediately allocated with a runtime type of a specified array and the size of this list.

After we fill all array elements, it has more space left in the array. Then ‘null’ is populated in all those extra positions.

• Array List to Array() – Convert to Object Array

The code of the corresponding output is placed below this output. 

Example:

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Arrays;
 
public class ArrayListExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>(2);
        list.add("A");
        list.add("B");
        list.add("C");
        list.add("D");
        Object[] array = list.toArray();
        System.out.println( Arrays.toString(array) );
        for(Object o : array) {
            String s = (String) o;
            System.out.println(s);
        }
    }
}

//Output:

[A, B, C, D]

A
B
C
D

• Array List to Array (T[] a)  – Convert to the string array

Example:

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Arrays;
 
public class ArrayListExample{
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>(2);
        list.add("A");
        list.add("B");
        list.add("C");
        list.add("D");
        String[] array = list.toArray(new String[list.size()]);
        System.out.println(Arrays.toString(array));
    }
}

//Output:

[A, B, C, D]

With this, we come to an end of this article. I hope you have understood the Array List to Array in Java, their types, importance and their implementation through some real-time examples.

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