### Script for Lecture on Generics and Collections --- #### **0-5 mins: Introduction and Problem Statement** - **Start with a relatable example**: Ask, "Have you ever written code that feels repetitive, like defining similar methods or classes for different data types?" - Example: A class `PairOfIntegers` for integers and another `PairOfStrings` for strings. - **Highlight the problem**: Without generics, we'd need separate classes or methods for each data type, which is redundant and error-prone. Generics solve this by allowing **type-safe, reusable code**. --- #### **5-25 mins: Introduction to Generics with a `Pair` Example** 1. **Explain Generics through a Pair class**: - A class `Pair` that holds two objects of the same type. - Discuss how generics help make the `Pair` class reusable for any type. 2. **Walkthrough on the code editor**: ```java class Pair<T> { private T first; private T second; public Pair(T first, T second) { this.first = first; this.second = second; } public T getFirst() { return first; } public T getSecond() { return second; } public void setFirst(T first) { this.first = first; } public void setSecond(T second) { this.second = second; } } public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { Pair<String> stringPair = new Pair<>("Hello", "World"); System.out.println("First: " + stringPair.getFirst()); System.out.println("Second: " + stringPair.getSecond()); } } ``` 3. **Explain step-by-step**: - What `T` is and how it gets replaced at runtime. - The advantages: type safety, no casting, and code reuse. --- #### **25-40 mins: Where Type Parameters Can Be Used** 1. **In Classes**: - Example: `Pair<V, T>`. Discuss that classes can use **multiple type parameters**. 2. **In Methods**: - Example: A static method to swap elements in an array. ```java public static <T> void swap(T[] array, int i, int j) { T temp = array[i]; array[i] = array[j]; array[j] = temp; } ``` 3. **Discuss flexibility**: - Type parameters can be used in constructors, methods, and fields. --- #### **40-55 mins: Generics with Collections** 1. **Introduce Collections**: - Explain `Collection<T>` as a generic interface and how its subclasses like `List<T>` use generics. 2. **Example**: ```java List<String> stringList = new ArrayList<>(); stringList.add("Hello"); stringList.add("Generics"); for (String s : stringList) { System.out.println(s); } ``` 3. **Explain the key points**: - No need for casting while retrieving elements. - Compile-time type checking ensures type safety. --- #### **55-60 mins: Raw Types** - Explain what raw types are and their limitations: ```java List list = new ArrayList(); // Raw type list.add("String"); list.add(123); // No type safety ``` - Discuss why raw types are discouraged in modern Java. --- #### **60-80 mins: Bounds and Wildcards in Generics** 1. **Start with bounds (`T extends` and `T super`)**: - Example: A bounded type parameter. ```java public static <T extends Number> double sum(T a, T b) { return a.doubleValue() + b.doubleValue(); } ``` 2. **Introduce wildcards**: - `? extends T`: For read flexibility. - `? super T`: For write flexibility. 3. **Example**: ```java void processNumbers(List<? extends Number> numbers) { for (Number number : numbers) { System.out.println(number); } } ``` 4. **Explain the scenarios**: - When to use wildcards vs bounded type parameters. --- #### **80-125 mins: Introduction to the Collection Framework** 1. **Overview of Collection Framework**: - Discuss the hierarchy: - `Collection<T>` interface. - Subinterfaces: `List<T>`, `Set<T>`, `Queue<T>`. - Implementations: `ArrayList`, `HashSet`, `LinkedList`, etc. 2. **Differences Between Collections**: - Use a table format or diagram to explain: | Collection Type | Allows Duplicates | Ordered | Example Use Case | |-----------------|------------------|---------|-------------------------| | `List` | Yes | Yes | Dynamic arrays | | `Set` | No | No | Unique values | | `Queue` | Yes | Depends | Task scheduling | 3. **Quick Examples**: - `ArrayList`: ```java List<String> list = new ArrayList<>(); list.add("A"); list.add("B"); ``` - `HashSet`: ```java Set<String> set = new HashSet<>(); set.add("A"); set.add("A"); // Duplicate not added ``` 4. **Introduce Map briefly**: - Explain `Map<K, V>` by taking an example of storing population of different countries --- #### **Explaining Differences Between Implementations** **1. List Interface Implementations** - **`ArrayList`**: - Backed by a dynamic array. - Fast random access (`O(1)` for `get()`). - Slow insertions/deletions in the middle (`O(n)`). - Use Case: When frequent access is required, and the size grows dynamically. - **`LinkedList`**: - Doubly-linked list structure. - No random access; traversal required (`O(n)` for `get()`). - Fast insertions/deletions at both ends (`O(1)` at head/tail). - Use Case: When insertions and deletions are frequent. --- **2. Set Interface Implementations** - **`HashSet`**: - Backed by a hash table. - No order guarantee. - Fast operations (`O(1)` for add, remove, contains). - Use Case: Maintaining unique elements where order doesn’t matter. - **`LinkedHashSet`**: - Preserves insertion order. - Slower than `HashSet` due to extra linking overhead. - Use Case: Maintaining unique elements with insertion order. - **`TreeSet`**: - Backed by a red-black tree. - Keeps elements sorted (natural/comparator-defined). - Slower (`O(log n)` for add, remove, contains). - Use Case: Maintaining sorted unique elements. --- **3. Queue Interface Implementations** - **`PriorityQueue`**: - Elements are ordered by natural order or comparator. - Not thread-safe. - Use Case: Task scheduling, where priority matters. - **`LinkedList`** (as Queue): - Implements `Deque` and supports FIFO order. - Use Case: Simple queue operations. --- **4. Map Interface Implementations** - **`HashMap`**: - Backed by a hash table. - Fast lookups and updates (`O(1)` for put/get). - No order guarantee. - Use Case: General-purpose key-value storage. - **`LinkedHashMap`**: - Preserves insertion order. - Slightly slower than `HashMap` due to additional linking. - Use Case: Caching mechanisms. - **`TreeMap`**: - Backed by a red-black tree. - Keeps keys sorted. - Slower (`O(log n)` for put/get). - Use Case: Sorted key-value storage. --- #### **Quick Comparison Table** | **Feature** | **ArrayList** | **LinkedList** | **HashSet** | **TreeSet** | **PriorityQueue** | |---------------------|---------------|----------------|-------------|-------------|-------------------| | **Ordering** | Index-based | Sequence | None | Sorted | Priority-based | | **Duplicates** | Allowed | Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allowed | | **Access Time** | `O(1)` | `O(n)` | `O(1)` | `O(log n)` | `O(log n)` | | **Insertion/Deletion** | `O(n)` | `O(1)` (ends) | `O(1)` | `O(log n)` | `O(log n)` | | **Use Case** | Random Access | Frequent Add/Delete | Unique Elements | Sorted Elements | Task Priority | ---