Java Collectors

[CG]jupoulton
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What's a Collector?

A Collector is a Java construct to use in conjunction with streams in order to turn a stream into a whatever-you-like.

Built-in Collectors exist and include:

  • toList() Everything ends up in a list
  • toSet() Everything ends up in a set
  • joining(String s) Everything ends up in a string, separated by s
  • And many more along the same lines.

Where are they ? in java.util.stream.Collectors;.

Using a built-in Collector

Basic use of a Collector

Writing your own Collector

There are many reasons why you might want to write your own Collector. Improving the readibility of a core part of your code is one of them.

Let's take a look at how to do this with an example.

Let's say you need to convert a string of space-separated integers to a list of Point instances where every two integers are X and Y coordinates.

There are a few methods to @Override when writing a new subclass of Collector. Look for every occurence of Fix me! to solve this exercice.

Writing a toPointList Collector

Going further

Want to learn more about Collectors now you've toyed with them a little?

Check out the official Java doc.

Check out some more advanced usage of Collectors by browsing StackOverflow

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