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Java Map Interface

A map contains values on the basis of key, i.e. key and value pair. Each key and value pair is known as an entry. A Map contains unique keys.

A Map is useful if you have to search, update or delete elements on the basis of a key.

Java Map Hierarchy

There are two interfaces for implementing Map in java: Map and SortedMap, and three classes: HashMap, LinkedHashMap, and TreeMap. The hierarchy of Java Map is given below:

Java Map Hierarchy

A Map doesn't allow duplicate keys, but you can have duplicate values. HashMap and LinkedHashMap allow null keys and values, but TreeMap doesn't allow any null key or value.

A Map can't be traversed, so you need to convert it into Set using keySet() or entrySet() method.

Class Description
HashMap HashMap is the implementation of Map, but it doesn't maintain any order.
LinkedHashMap LinkedHashMap is the implementation of Map. It inherits HashMap class. It maintains insertion order.
TreeMap TreeMap is the implementation of Map and SortedMap. It maintains ascending order.

Useful methods of Map interface

Method Description
V put(Object key, Object value) It is used to insert an entry in the map.
void putAll(Map map) It is used to insert the specified map in the map.
V putIfAbsent(K key, V value) It inserts the specified value with the specified key in the map only if it is not already specified.
V remove(Object key) It is used to delete an entry for the specified key.
boolean remove(Object key, Object value) It removes the specified values with the associated specified keys from the map.
Set keySet() It returns the Set view containing all the keys.
Set<>> entrySet() It returns the Set view containing all the keys and values.
void clear() It is used to reset the map.
V compute(K key, BiFunction remappingFunction) It is used to compute a mapping for the specified key and its current mapped value (or null if there is no current mapping).
V computeIfAbsent(K key, Function mappingFunction) It is used to compute its value using the given mapping function, if the specified key is not already associated with a value (or is mapped to null), and enters it into this map unless null.
V computeIfPresent(K key, BiFunction remappingFunction) It is used to compute a new mapping given the key and its current mapped value if the value for the specified key is present and non-null.
boolean containsValue(Object value) This method returns true if some value equal to the value exists within the map, else return false.
boolean containsKey(Object key) This method returns true if some key equal to the key exists within the map, else return false.
boolean equals(Object o) It is used to compare the specified Object with the Map.
void forEach(BiConsumer action) It performs the given action for each entry in the map until all entries have been processed or the action throws an exception.
V get(Object key) This method returns the object that contains the value associated with the key.
V getOrDefault(Object key, V defaultValue) It returns the value to which the specified key is mapped, or defaultValue if the map contains no mapping for the key.
int hashCode() It returns the hash code value for the Map
boolean isEmpty() This method returns true if the map is empty; returns false if it contains at least one key.
V merge(K key, V value, BiFunction remappingFunction) If the specified key is not already associated with a value or is associated with null, associates it with the given non-null value.
V replace(K key, V value) It replaces the specified value for a specified key.
boolean replace(K key, V oldValue, V newValue) It replaces the old value with the new value for a specified key.
void replaceAll(BiFunction function) It replaces each entry's value with the result of invoking the given function on that entry until all entries have been processed or the function throws an exception.
Collection values() It returns a collection view of the values contained in the map.
int size() This method returns the number of entries in the map.

Map.Entry Interface

Entry is the subinterface of Map. So we will be accessed it by Map.Entry name. It returns a collection-view of the map, whose elements are of this class. It provides methods to get key and value.

Methods of Map.Entry interface

Method Description
K getKey() It is used to obtain a key.
V getValue() It is used to obtain value.
int hashCode() It is used to obtain hashCode.
V setValue(V value) It is used to replace the value corresponding to this entry with the specified value.
boolean equals(Object o) It is used to compare the specified object with the other existing objects.
static ,V> Comparator<>> comparingByKey() It returns a comparator that compare the objects in natural order on key.
static Comparator<>> comparingByKey(Comparator cmp) It returns a comparator that compare the objects by key using the given Comparator.
static > Comparator<>> comparingByValue() It returns a comparator that compare the objects in natural order on value.
static Comparator<>> comparingByValue(Comparator cmp) It returns a comparator that compare the objects by value using the given Comparator.

Java Map Example: Non-Generic (Old Style)

Output:

1 Amit
2 Jai
5 Rahul
6 Amit

Java Map Example: Generic (New Style)

Output:

102 Rahul
100 Amit
101 Vijay

Java Map Example: comparingByKey()

Output:

100=Amit
101=Vijay
102=Rahul

Java Map Example: comparingByKey() in Descending Order

Output:

102=Rahul
101=Vijay
100=Amit

Java Map Example: comparingByValue()

Output:

100=Amit
102=Rahul
101=Vijay

Java Map Example: comparingByValue() in Descending Order

Output:

101=Vijay
102=Rahul
100=Amit
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