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javaarraysstaticplaying-cards

How to initialize a static array?

I have seen different approaches to define a static array in Java. Either:

String[] suit = new String[] {
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
};

...or only

String[] suit = {
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
};

or as a List

List suit = Arrays.asList(
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
);

Is there a difference (except for the List definition of course)?

What is the better way (performance wise)?

Solution

  • If you are creating an array then there is no difference, however, the following is neater:

    String[] suit = {
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
};

    But, if you want to pass an array into a method you have to call it like this:

    myMethod(new String[] {"spades", "hearts"});

myMethod({"spades", "hearts"}); //won't compile!