Java - How to create new Entry (key, value)

I'd like to create new item that similarly to Util.Map.Entry that will contain the structure key, value.

The problem is that I can't instantiate a Map.Entry because it's an interface.

Does anyone know how to create a new generic key/value object for Map.Entry?

Solution 1:

There's public static class AbstractMap.SimpleEntry<K,V>. Don't let the Abstract part of the name mislead you: it is in fact NOT an abstract class (but its top-level AbstractMap is).

The fact that it's a static nested class means that you DON'T need an enclosing AbstractMap instance to instantiate it, so something like this compiles fine:

Map.Entry<String,Integer> entry =
    new AbstractMap.SimpleEntry<String, Integer>("exmpleString", 42);

As noted in another answer, Guava also has a convenient static factory method Maps.immutableEntry that you can use.

You said:

I can't use Map.Entry itself because apparently it's a read-only object that I can't instantiate new instanceof

That's not entirely accurate. The reason why you can't instantiate it directly (i.e. with new) is because it's an interface Map.Entry.

Caveat and tip

As noted in the documentation, AbstractMap.SimpleEntry is @since 1.6, so if you're stuck to 5.0, then it's not available to you.

To look for another known class that implements Map.Entry, you can in fact go directly to the javadoc. From the Java 6 version

Interface Map.Entry

All Known Implementing Classes:

AbstractMap.SimpleEntry, AbstractMap.SimpleImmutableEntry

Unfortunately the 1.5 version does not list any known implementing class that you can use, so you may have be stuck with implementing your own.

Solution 2:

Starting from Java 9, there is a new utility method allowing to create an immutable entry which is Map#entry(Object, Object).

Here is a simple example:

Entry<String, String> entry = Map.entry("foo", "bar");

As it is immutable, calling setValue will throw an UnsupportedOperationException. The other limitations are the fact that it is not serializable and null as key or value is forbidden, if it is not acceptable for you, you will need to use AbstractMap.SimpleImmutableEntry or AbstractMap.SimpleEntry instead.

NB: If your need is to create directly a Map with 0 to up to 10 (key, value) pairs, you can instead use the methods of type Map.of(K key1, V value1, ...).

Solution 3:

You can just implement the Map.Entry<K, V> interface yourself:

import java.util.Map;

final class MyEntry<K, V> implements Map.Entry<K, V> {
    private final K key;
    private V value;

    public MyEntry(K key, V value) {
        this.key = key;
        this.value = value;
    }

    @Override
    public K getKey() {
        return key;
    }

    @Override
    public V getValue() {
        return value;
    }

    @Override
    public V setValue(V value) {
        V old = this.value;
        this.value = value;
        return old;
    }
}

And then use it:

Map.Entry<String, Object> entry = new MyEntry<String, Object>("Hello", 123);
System.out.println(entry.getKey());
System.out.println(entry.getValue());

Solution 4:

Try Maps.immutableEntry from Guava

This has the advantage of being compatible with Java 5 (unlike AbstractMap.SimpleEntry which requires Java 6.)

Solution 5:

Example of AbstractMap.SimpleEntry:

import java.util.Map; 
import java.util.AbstractMap;
import java.util.AbstractMap.SimpleEntry;

Instantiate:

ArrayList<Map.Entry<Integer, Integer>> arr = 
    new ArrayList<Map.Entry<Integer, Integer>>();

Add rows:

arr.add(new AbstractMap.SimpleEntry(2, 3));
arr.add(new AbstractMap.SimpleEntry(20, 30));
arr.add(new AbstractMap.SimpleEntry(2, 4));

Fetch rows:

System.out.println(arr.get(0).getKey());
System.out.println(arr.get(0).getValue());
System.out.println(arr.get(1).getKey());
System.out.println(arr.get(1).getValue());
System.out.println(arr.get(2).getKey());
System.out.println(arr.get(2).getValue());

Should print:

It's good for defining edges of graph structures. Like the ones between neurons in your head.