Alternative for #subList() for String array?

Question

So I modified an API (for command management) to use String[] instead of a list of Strings.

My problem is here:strings.subList(1, strings.length) So I need to change this to a different alternative that would do the same job.

What exactly could I do here?

Answer 1

You can't get one array which is a sliced view of another - but you can make a list view over an array, and then use sublist on that:

List<String> stringList = Arrays.asList(strings);
List<String> subList = stringList.subList(1, strings.length);

Now you won't be able to pass that to anything taking an array, of course...

So your options are:

• Go back to using a List<String> everywhere - this would be my suggestion, as collection classes are generally more flexible than arrays
• Use arrays for part of the code, but collection classes elsewhere
• Copy part of the array instead (e.g. using System.arraycopy or Arrays.copyOfRange)

Answer 2

If you're looking to copy just part of an array into a new array, I would advise that you use the Arrays.copyOfRange function:

Arrays.copyOfRange(strings, 1, strings.length());

(sees Jon Skeet's answer, skitters away sheepishly)