What are the best practices for using stacks in Java?

What are the best practices for using stacks in Java?

When using stacks in Java, consider the following best practices: 1. Use the Stack class or Deque interface. 2. Avoid using Stack for thread-safe operations; prefer ConcurrentLinkedDeque. 3. Always check if the stack is empty before popping to avoid EmptyStackException.

Can you explain why I should prefer Deque over Stack?

Certainly! The Deque interface provides more flexibility than Stack, allowing you to add or remove elements from both ends. It's also more efficient and part of the Java Collections Framework, which offers better performance and more features.

What are some common use cases for stacks?

Common use cases for stacks include: 1. Undo mechanisms in applications. 2. Parsing expressions (like in compilers). 3. Backtracking algorithms (like maze solving). 4. Function call management in recursion.

How can I implement a stack using an array?

To implement a stack using an array, create an array to hold the elements, maintain a variable for the top index, and define methods for push, pop, and peek operations. Ensure to check for overflow and underflow conditions.