util.Arrays vs reflect.Array in Java with Examples
Last Updated :
21 Jan, 2022
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Array class in java.lang.reflect package is a part of the Java Reflection. This class provides static methods to create and access Java arrays dynamically. It is a final class, which means it can’t be instantiated or changed. Only the methods of this class can be used by the class name itself. On the other hand, Arrays class in java.util package is a part of the Java Collection Framework. This class provides static methods to dynamically create and access Java arrays. It consists of only static methods and the methods of Object class. The methods of this class can be used by the class name itself.
Let us directly discuss major differences via table as follows on basic of few factor as listed:
Difference between Array and Arrays
| Basic | Array | Arrays |
|---|---|---|
| Package Existence in class hierrarchy | The Array class exists in the java.lang.reflect package | The Arrays class exists in java.util package |
| Class Hierrarchy |
java.lang.Object ↳ java.lang.reflect ↳ Class Array |
java.lang.Object ↳ java.util ↳ Class Arrays |
| Immutability | The Array class is immutable in nature | Arrays class is not immutable in nature. By immutable, it means that the class cannot be extended or inherited. The Array class is declared as final to achieve immutability. |
| Class declaration |
public final class Array extends Object |
public class Arrays extends Object |
| Usage | Array class provides static methods to dynamically create and access Java arrays. This Array class keeps the array to be type-safe. | Arrays class contains various methods for manipulating arrays (such as sorting and searching) |
Implementation:
Java
// Java program to Illustrate Usage of Array class// vs Arrays Class// Importing both classes from resprective packagesimport java.lang.reflect.Array;import java.util.Arrays;// Main classpublic class GFG { // Main driver method public static void main(String[] args) { // Getting the size of the array int[] intArray = new int[5]; // Adding elements into the array // using setInt() method of Array class Array.setInt(intArray, 0, 10); // Printing the Array content // using util.Arrays class System.out.println(Arrays.toString(intArray)); }} |
Output:
[10, 0, 0, 0, 0]
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