In Java, there are several ways to print the elements of an ArrayList
. Below are examples showcasing different approaches:
1. Using toString()
Method
The toString()
method of the ArrayList
class returns a string representation of the list.
import java.util.ArrayList;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
System.out.println(list); // Prints: [Apple, Banana, Cherry]
}
}
2. Using a for
Loop
Iterate over the elements using a traditional for
loop.
import java.util.ArrayList;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
for (int i = 0; i < list.size(); i++) {
System.out.println(list.get(i));
}
}
}
Output:
Apple
Banana
Cherry
3. Using an Enhanced for
Loop
Use a for-each loop for a more concise way to iterate over elements.
import java.util.ArrayList;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
for (String item : list) {
System.out.println(item);
}
}
}
4. Using Iterator
Use an Iterator
object to traverse the ArrayList
.
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Iterator;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
Iterator<String> iterator = list.iterator();
while (iterator.hasNext()) {
System.out.println(iterator.next());
}
}
}
5. Using Streams (Java 8 and Above)
You can use the forEach
method with a lambda expression.
import java.util.ArrayList;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
list.forEach(item -> System.out.println(item));
}
}
6. Using join()
Method (to Print as a Comma-Separated String)
You can join the elements into a single string.
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.StringJoiner;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
System.out.println(String.join(", ", list)); // Prints: Apple, Banana, Cherry
}
}
7. Using Streams with Collectors.joining()
(Java 8 and Above)
You can use the Collectors.joining()
method for advanced string joining.
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.stream.Collectors;
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>();
list.add("Apple");
list.add("Banana");
list.add("Cherry");
String result = list.stream().collect(Collectors.joining(", "));
System.out.println(result); // Prints: Apple, Banana, Cherry
}
}
Summary
- Simple and Quick: Use
toString()
for basic printing. - Iterative: Use
for
loops orIterator
to process elements individually. - Functional: Use streams or lambdas for modern, concise code.
Choose the method that best suits your needs!