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javasearchinfinite-sequence

Searching strategy in an infinte list

I am listening to a 3rd party web-service, when the services starts it generates a stream of objects which I am receiving. I have to search for a specific object within given amount of time and do some processing if the object is found or throw an error in any of the below condition:

  1. The web-service stops and I haven't found the object.
  2. My timer expires.
  3. Any other erroneous condition.

I am wondering about what could be the best way to search for the object assuming I am searching in an infinite list and the order of items in which they appear in the list cannot be predicted ?

Solution

  • If the order cannot be predicted, then there's no better way than simply testing each object as it is received.