📚 Java Collections Framework (JCF) –
Complete Guide
🔷 What is Java Collections Framework?
✅ In Simple Words:
Java Collections are like smart containers used to store, manage, and
operate on groups of objects like lists, sets, maps, etc.
✅ In Standard Definition:
The Java Collections Framework is a set of interfaces and classes that
support operations on collections of objects such as searching, sorting,
insertion, deletion, etc., and provides data structures like List, Set, Map, and
Queue.
📦 Key Interfaces in JCF
Interface Description Common Classes
List Ordered collection, allows duplicates ArrayList,
LinkedList
Set No duplicates, unordered or sorted HashSet, TreeSet
Queue FIFO structure LinkedList,
PriorityQueue
Map Key-value pairs HashMap, TreeMap
🔸 Why JCF is Important
✅ Real-time applications like:
● Shopping carts (List)
● Login systems (Set of user IDs)
● Database results (Map of ID → value)
● Message queues (Queue)
✅ Benefits:
● Reusable data structures
● Optimized performance
● Ready-to-use algorithms (sorting, searching)
1️⃣ List Interface
✅ Simple Explanation:
A List is like a to-do list where order matters, and duplicates are allowed.
✅ Code Example:
java
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import java.util.*;
public class ListDemo {
public static void main(String[] args) {
List<String> items = new ArrayList<>();
items.add("Pen");
items.add("Book");
items.add("Pen"); // duplicates allowed
System.out.println(items); // [Pen, Book, Pen]
}
}
📌 Real-Time Use:
● List of products in an online cart.
● List of students in a classroom.
2️⃣ Set Interface
✅ Simple Explanation:
A Set is like a voter list — each person should appear only once.
✅ Code Example:
java
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Set<String> voters = new HashSet<>();
voters.add("ID001");
voters.add("ID002");
voters.add("ID001"); // duplicate, will not be added
System.out.println(voters);
📌 Real-Time Use:
● Unique emails in a newsletter.
● Unique product SKUs in an inventory.
3️⃣ Map Interface
✅ Simple Explanation:
A Map stores data in key → value format, like a dictionary.
✅ Code Example:
java
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Map<Integer, String> students = new HashMap<>();
students.put(101, "Rahul");
students.put(102, "Anjali");
System.out.println(students.get(101)); // Rahul
📌 Real-Time Use:
● UserID → Password
● ProductID → Price
4️⃣ Queue Interface
✅ Simple Explanation:
A Queue works like a line of people — first in, first out (FIFO).
✅ Code Example:
java
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Queue<String> queue = new LinkedList<>();
queue.add("User1");
queue.add("User2");
System.out.println(queue.poll()); // User1 is removed
📌 Real-Time Use:
● Task scheduling systems
● Printer job queue
● Call center queue
🧠 Interview Questions with Answers
❓ Q1: What is the difference between List and Set?
Answer:
Feature List Set
Duplicates Allowed Not allowed
Order Maintains order Unordered (except LinkedHashSet,
TreeSet)
❓ Q2: What are the types of Maps in Java?
Answer:
● HashMap: Unordered, fast
● TreeMap: Sorted by keys
● LinkedHashMap: Maintains insertion order
❓ Q3: When to use List vs Map?
Answer:
● Use List when you only care about items in order.
● Use Map when you need a unique key for each value.
❓ Q4: What’s the difference between ArrayList and LinkedList?
Feature ArrayList LinkedList
Access time Fast Slower (traverse)
(index-based)
Insertion Slower in middle Fast
Backed by Array Doubly linked list
❓ Q5: What is HashSet used for?
Answer:
To store unique elements with no defined order. Internally uses a HashMap.
📘 Summary Table
Interface Class Allows Duplicates Maintains Order Use Case Example
List ArrayList ✅ Yes ✅ Yes To-do list
Set HashSet ❌ No ❌ No Unique emails
Map HashMap (Key ❌, Value ✅) ❌ No ID → Name mapping
Queue LinkedList ✅ Yes ✅ FIFO Print or task queue
