Java 7 API design best practice - return Array or return Collection
- by Shengjie
I know this question has be asked before generic comes out. Array does win out a bit given Array enforces the return type, it's more type-safe.
But now, with latest JDK 7, every time when I design this type of APIs:
public String[] getElements(String type)
vs
public List<String> getElements(String type)
I am always struggling to think of some good reasons to return A Collection over An Array or another way around. What's the best practice when it comes to the case of choosing String[] or List as the API's return type? Or it's courses for horses.
I don't have a special case in my mind, I am more looking for a generic pros/cons comparison.
