Changing an Array to an ArrayList [duplicate]

Question

This question already has answers here:

Create ArrayList from array (42 answers)

Closed 12 years ago.

I am attempting to change the following array line into an ArrayList that will function the same way:

private String[] books = new String[5];

I changed it to this but it is not functioning properly:

private ArrayList<String>(Arrays.asList(books))

I thought this was how an ArrayList was created

• Floris: Could you add a language tag?
• Luiggi Mendoza: possible duplicate of this question

Answer 1

You need to create it like this:

private ArrayList<String> booksList = new ArrayList<String>(Arrays.asList(books));

new ArrayList<String>(Arrays.asList(books)) is the part which is turning your array into an ArrayList.

You could also do:

private List<String> booksList = Arrays.asList(books);

If the fact that it is an ArrayList doesn't matter.

• Dingles: I keep getting errors that ArrayList cannot be resolved to a type
• Luiggi Mendoza: @Dingles make sure you have imported the right classes from the right packages. You should have package your.package.name; import java.util.ArrayList; import java.util.Arrays; (...) at the top of your file.
• Dingles: Ahhh I forgot the import java.util.Arrays package.

Answer 2

Answered here

new ArrayList<Element>(Arrays.asList(array))

*** new

• Luiggi Mendoza: Instead of adding an answer pointing to an existing Q/A, flag the question as duplicate.
• JayD: will do.. kind of new to SO