To store dynamically-sized elements in Java, we used ArrayList. Whenever new elements are added to it, its increase their size automatically. ArrayList implements Java’s List Interface and part of Java’s Collection.

Because of their functionality and flexibility, it is widely used.

Key Points of an ArrayList

1. An ArrayList is a re-sizable array, also known as a dynamic array. It raises its size according to new elements and decreases the size when the elements are removed.
2. An array is used to store an element in ArrayList internally. It allows you to retrieve the elements by their index.
3. Java ArrayList class permits duplicate and null values.
4. Java ArrayList class is a well-ordered collection. It keeps the insertion order of the elements.
5. In ArrayList, you cannot create an ArrayList of primitive types like int, char, boolean, etc. You must use boxed types like Integer, Character, Boolean etc.

Hierarchy of ArrayList

ArrayList implements the List Interface extends Collection extends Iterable.

How to Create an ArrayList

In Java, we can create ArrayList by creating this simple statement:

ArrayList<String> arlist = new ArrayList<String>( );

In above syntax, list is of “String” type, so the elements are that going to be added to this list will be string type. The type decide which type of elements list will have.

ArrayList<String> arlist = new ArrayList<Integer>( );

Above syntax, is accepts int elements.

How to Add Elements?

To add an element in ArrayList, we can use add( ) method. This method has variations, which is use depends on requirements.

Syntax

arlist.add(“JavaTpoint”);

Add elements at the particular location, we can write method like this:

arlist.add(2, “JavaTpoint”);

Example 1

class ArrayList1{ 

   public static void main(String args[]){ 

      ArrayList<String> ArrayList<String>(); 

      arlist.add("JAVA");

      arlist.add("Csharp");

      arlist.add("Python");

      arlist.add("Php");

      arlist.add("Android");

      arlist.add("HTML");

      //Adding "C++" at the sixth position

      arlist.add(5, "C++");

      //displaying elements

      System.out.println(arlist);

   } 

}

Output:

[JAVA, Csharp, Python, Php, Android, C++, HTML]

How to Remove Elements

To add an element in ArrayList, we can use the remove( ) method. This method also has variations.

class ArrayList1{ 

   public static void main(String args[]){ 

      ArrayList<String> ArrayList<String>(); 

      arlist.add("JAVA");

      arlist.add("Csharp");

      arlist.add("Python");

      arlist.add("Php");

      arlist.add("Android");

      arlist.add("HTML");

      //remove "C++" from the sixth position

      arlist.remove("C++");

      //displaying elements

      System.out.println(arlist);

   } 

}



class ArrayList1{ 

   public static void main(String args[]){ 

      ArrayList<String> ArrayList<String>(); 

      arlist.add("JAVA");

      arlist.add("Csharp");

      arlist.add("Python");

      arlist.add("Php");

      arlist.add("Android");

      arlist.add("HTML");

      //remove "C++" from the sixth position

      arlist.remove("C++");

      //displaying elements

      System.out.println(arlist);

   } 

}

Output: [JAVA, Csharp, Python, Php, Android, HTML]

Methods of Java ArrayList

There are many methods in Java ArrayList, but we explain here some main methods:

Constructors of Java ArrayList

Further Reading

Different Approaches to Sorting Elements of an Arraylist in Java

ArrayList vs. LinkedList vs. Vector