Arrays are used to store multiple values in a single variable, instead of declaring separate variables for each value.
To declare an array, define the variable type with square brackets [ ] :
String[] cars;We have now declared a variable that holds an array of strings. To insert values to it, you can place the values in a comma-separated list, inside curly braces { } :
String[] cars = {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"};To create an array of integers, you could write:
int[] myNum = {10, 20, 30, 40};Access the Elements of an Array
You can access an array element by referring to the index number.
This statement accesses the value of the first element in cars:
Example
String[] cars = {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"};
System.out.println(cars[0]);
// Outputs VolvoNote
Array indexes start with 0: [0] is the first element. [1] is the second element, etc.
Think of an array as numbered boxes, where each box stores an element:
| Index | Element |
|---|---|
| 0 | Volvo |
| 1 | BMW |
| 2 | Ford |
| 3 | Mazda |
Change an Array Element
To change the value of a specific element, refer to the index number:
cars[0] = "Opel";Example
String[] cars = {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"};
cars[0] = "Opel";
System.out.println(cars[0]);
// Now outputs Opel instead of VolvoArray Length
To find out how many elements an array has, use the length property:
Example
String[] cars = {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"};
System.out.println(cars.length);
// Outputs 4The new Keyword
You can also create an array by specifying its size with new . This makes an empty array with space for a fixed number of elements, which you can fill later:
Example
String[] cars = new String[4]; // size is 4
cars[0] = "Volvo";
cars[1] = "BMW";
cars[2] = "Ford";
cars[3] = "Mazda";
System.out.println(cars[0]); // Outputs VolvoHowever, if you already know the values, you don't need to write new . Both of these create the same array:
Example
// With new String[] cars = new String[] {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"};
// Shortcut (most common) String[] cars = {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"};Note
You cannot write new String[ 4 ] {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"} .
In Java, when using new , you either:
- Use new String[4] to create an empty array with 4 slots, and then fill them later
- Or use new String[] {"Volvo", "BMW", "Ford", "Mazda"} (without specifying the number of elements) to create the array and assign values at the same time
Tip
The shortcut syntax is most often used when the values are known at the start. Use new with a size when you want to create an empty array and fill it later.