Difference b/w Array, arraylist, vector

[SJ Rao]

What is the difference between Array, ArrayList, Vector ?
Need this info imm.. pl someone give me a clear picture.
Thanks in advance
SJ

[Dirk Schreckmann]

In a quick nutshell...
I'd guess you did not mean java.sql.Array or java.lang.reflect.Array when you mentioned "Array". I'll assume you meant to refer to the typical array data structure in Java.
Try a quick search on this forum for "Vector ArrayList". You'll turn up quite a few explanations from past conversations. Note that the search page link is at the top right of this page.
Otherwise, you might want to spend a few moments reading the API documentation, the Arrays lesson of Sun's Java Tutorial, and the Collections Trail of Sun's Java Tutorial.
Good Luck
[ October 29, 2003: Message edited by: Dirk Schreckmann ]

[SJ Rao]

Thanks a lot Dirk, I got a lot of info in the "search".
SJ

[praveenkumar singamsetty]

arrays hold homogeneous objects
vectors hold heterogeneous objects
arraylist is like vector....in the sense it can hold heterogeneous object
but the api is good than that of vector....
vectors r by default threadsafe for arraylist u hav 2 implement them
ciao

[Dirk Schreckmann]

vectors r by default threadsafe for arraylist u hav 2 implement them
The Collections class provides an easy way to create a thread-safe List. This mechanism is referred to as a synchronization wrapper. To create a thread-safe List from an ArrayList, something similar to List mySynchronizedList = Collections.synchronizedList(myArrayList); should get the job done. (Note that both Vectors and Arraylists are Lists as each class implements the List interface.)

[Thomas Paul]

You should note that in general it is recommended that you never use Vector. Dirk explained the technique to use for a synchronized Collection.