Java Collections Framework API

The report should examine the Java Collections Framework API and in doing so, discuss its history, basic principles, and benefits. Also discuss what data structures are missing from the Collections Framework and
in doing so compare the Java Collections Framework to another programming language’s attempt at modelling collections. Make a proposal for inclusion of a new data structure in the Collections framework and described how it would fit into the existing class hierarchy.
Provide (pseudo) code examples of how it might be used and also describe real-world examples of the type of information is would model.
You should draw on your experiences in developing and testing the applications developed as part of the assignment and practicals, as well as considering other classes of applications, canvasing other opinions, and research information from reliable sources in the Internet.
You will need to be discerning when researching the topic on the Internet. Gratuitous statements, without reasoned arguments to back them up, are of little value.

Java Collections Framework API

Introduction

The Java collections framework (JCF) refers to a set of interfaces and classes that execute frequently reusable collection data structures (Flanagan, 2005). Unlike is name, a JCF functions similar to a library. It offers both interfaces that illustrate various collections as well as the classes that implement them. Simply defined, the JCF is a set of interfaces and classes which assist in efficient data storing and processing (Collins, 2011).

History

Collection execution in pre-JDK 1.2 Java platform versions entailed few data structure classes, except without a collections framework. The standard techniques of Java objects clustering were through the vector, the array and the hashtable classes, which regrettably were difficult to extend and failed to deploy a standard member interface (Becker, 1998). Thus, to solve the necessitate for reusable collection data structures, a number of independent frameworks were developed (IBM n.d.), Doug Lea’s Collection Package a long with ObjectSpace Generic Collection Library – JGL being the mainly used (Vanhelsuwe`, 1997). Primarily, the collections framework was designed then developed by Joshua Bolch prior to being introduced to JDK version 1.2. the collections framework reused various ideas along with Doug Lea’s collection package classes, which as a result, was denounced (Lea, 1999). Given that the JGL’s ideas we consistent with C++, which was not Sun’s objective, he opted for a compact framework. Later works included Doug Lea’s concurrency package made up of new Collection-related classes.

Architecture

Nearly all Java collections are derivatives of the java.util.Collection interface. Collection describe the basic components of all collections and the interface defines the add() and remove() techniques for adding to or removing from a collection respectively. In addition, the toArray() method, is required for converting the collection into a uncomplicated array of all the fundamentals in the collection.