HashMap and ArrayList

[A Kumar]

Hi,

In an interview...i had a question...where i was asked...


In a web application ..among these 2 data structures...which would you use...

I would like to have a more precise answer...

Regards

[fred rosenberger]

i would say it depends on the situation. i don't believe there is EVER a single, always correct answer. press for more info on how they are going to use this data structure... what kind of info goes in it, how will it be accessed (and how often), are duplicates allowed, etc.

without that info, you can't answer the question.

[marc weber]

Originally posted by fred rosenberger:
...press for more info on how they are going to use this data structure... what kind of info goes in it, how will it be accessed (and how often), are duplicates allowed, etc.

without that info, you can't answer the question.

Indeed, I suspect that's what they might really be looking for with such a vague question.

[Bear Bibeault]

Would you use a hammer or a band saw?

Depends upon the job, doesn't it?

[Jesper de Jong]

The question itself is nonsense; it is like asking: "When you need to drive from Amsterdam to Paris, what would you choose: a red car or a blue car?".

HashMap and ArrayList are two different data structures. Which of them you need, depends on what the application needs to do - it doesn't matter if it is a web application or any other kind of application.

[A Kumar]

Thank you all,

It is definitely as you have all have said...i should have asked for more info ...to clarify the requirements and then decide..


Regards

[Ramasubbhu Allur Kuppusamy]

Originally posted by Marc Weber:

Indeed, I suspect that's what they might really be looking for with such a vague question.

Interesting thought.