### 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 |
---