What are the differences between Java Streams and Collections?

What are the main differences between Java Streams and Collections?

Java Streams are used for processing sequences of elements, while Collections are data structures that store elements. Streams are more about operations on data, whereas Collections are about data storage.

Can you give me an example of when to use Streams over Collections?

Sure! Use Streams when you need to perform bulk operations on data, like filtering or mapping, without modifying the original data structure. For example, if you want to filter a list of names to only include those starting with 'A', Streams are ideal.

Are there any performance differences between using Streams and Collections?

Yes, Streams can be more efficient for large datasets because they can process elements in parallel. However, Collections may be faster for smaller datasets or when you need to access elements directly.

Can I convert a Stream back to a Collection?

Absolutely! You can use methods like collect(Collectors.toList()) to convert a Stream back into a List or other Collection types.