What are the differences between an �Object Array� and an �ArrayList�
For the answer to the unasked question "why":
In the beginning, there was C. It hid the machine. It was procedural. It had the basic types (int, char, array, *(pointer) ...)
Java went object oriented, tossed out the pointer, and added Object. It also added a small class library.
java.util.ArrayList was a wrapper for the base type array, just as Integer wraps int.
A good rule of thumb for a beginner, use Collection/Set/List/ListArray if you're making the decision, not the array. If you run into an array you have to use,... come back for help.