Thread: Getting an error while altering a source code

Dear javaprogrammingforums administrator and members,


Hello everyone, I hope everyone is fine upon reading this thread of mine. I'm currently reading "Java How to Program Third Edition by Deitel and Deitel" and exploring about Collections Framework. I tried to program one of their source codes about the Set interface implemented by HashSet. I edited it a little though. By the way, here's the code:

[FONT="Courier New"]
import java.util.*;
public class Sample{
  public static void main(String [] args){
      String colors[]={"green","red","blue","red","blue","white",
                       "orange","black"};
      List list = new ArrayList(Arrays.asList(colors));
      System.out.println(list);
 
      HashSet ref = new HashSet(list);
      Iterator i = ref.iterator();
 
      System.out.println("\n\nElements with no duplicates:");
      while(i.hasNext()){
          System.out.print( i.next()+ " "); //Line 11
       }
  }//main
 
}//class
 
[/FONT]

The program works fine, but I just wonder why the ourput in Line 11 is in this order?

orange red blue green white black


I am really expecting this output:

green red blue white orange black



I hope someone would give more information about why this came to be. I hope this is not too much to ask.

Thank you and God bless everyone.


Respectfully Yours,

MarkSquall

Allow me to quote JavaDocs

Originally Posted by JavaDoc

This class implements the Set interface, backed by a hash table (actually a HashMap instance). It makes no guarantees as to the iteration order of the set; in particular, it does not guarantee that the order will remain constant over time.

Chris

Dear Mr. Chris,


A pleasant day to you. Wow, that was a quick answer from JavaDocs, hehehe.


Now I know... thanks a lot Mr. Chris. I tried to experiment with the program, I added more colors (with duplicating entries), and sort them using Arrays.sort(), then when I tried to use TreeSet instead of HashSet, whoa...the oder is still in alphabetical order (with duplicate entries removed).


Again, thank you Mr. Chris and God bless everyone.


Respectfully Yours,

MarkSquall

I'm glad it gave you the answer you were after and that you have your solution. If that is everything would you mind marking this thread as solved.

Thanks,
Chris