What is the difference between List and ArrayList in Java?

What is the difference between List and ArrayList in Java?

In Java, List is an interface, while ArrayList is a class that implements the List interface. This means ArrayList provides specific implementations of the methods defined in the List interface.

Can you explain the advantages of using ArrayList over List?

ArrayList offers dynamic resizing, which means it can grow as needed, while List is just a contract for list behavior.

Are there any performance differences between them?

Yes, ArrayList generally provides faster access times for indexed elements due to its underlying array structure, but it may be slower for insertions and deletions compared to other List implementations like LinkedList.

When should I use List instead of ArrayList?

You should use List when you want to define a variable type that can hold any List implementation, allowing for flexibility in changing the underlying data structure later.