Java Deque

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Introduction

The Deque interface in Java, part of the java.util package, represents a double-ended queue that allows elements to be added or removed from both ends.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Deque Interface?
2. Common Implementations
3. Common Methods
4. Examples of Using the Deque Interface
5. Conclusion

1. What is the Deque Interface?

The Deque (Double-Ended Queue) interface extends the Queue interface and provides methods for manipulating elements at both the front and back of the queue.

2. Common Implementations

• ArrayDeque: A resizable array implementation that is efficient for most operations. It is not thread-safe.
• LinkedList: Provides a linked list implementation of the Deque interface, allowing efficient insertion and removal of elements from both ends.

3. Common Methods

• addFirst(E e): Inserts the specified element at the front.
• addLast(E e): Inserts the specified element at the end.
• offerFirst(E e): Inserts the specified element at the front, returns true if successful.
• offerLast(E e): Inserts the specified element at the end, returns true if successful.
• removeFirst(): Removes and returns the first element.
• removeLast(): Removes and returns the last element.
• pollFirst(): Retrieves and removes the first element, or returns null if empty.
• pollLast(): Retrieves and removes the last element, or returns null if empty.
• getFirst(): Retrieves, but does not remove, the first element.
• getLast(): Retrieves, but does not remove, the last element.
• peekFirst(): Retrieves, but does not remove, the first element, or returns null.
• peekLast(): Retrieves, but does not remove, the last element, or returns null.

4. Examples of Using the Deque Interface

Example 1: Using addFirst and addLast

This example demonstrates adding elements to both ends of a Deque.

import java.util.ArrayDeque;
import java.util.Deque;

public class AddExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Deque<String> deque = new ArrayDeque<>();
        deque.addFirst("Front");
        deque.addLast("Back");
        System.out.println("Deque after additions: " + deque);
    }
}

Output:

Deque after additions: [Front, Back]

Example 2: Using offerFirst and offerLast

This example shows how to use offerFirst and offerLast to add elements.

import java.util.ArrayDeque;
import java.util.Deque;

public class OfferExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Deque<Integer> deque = new ArrayDeque<>();
        deque.offerFirst(1);
        deque.offerLast(2);
        System.out.println("Deque after offers: " + deque);
    }
}

Output:

Deque after offers: [1, 2]

Example 3: Using removeFirst and removeLast

This example demonstrates removing elements from both ends of a Deque.

import java.util.ArrayDeque;
import java.util.Deque;

public class RemoveExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Deque<String> deque = new ArrayDeque<>();
        deque.add("A");
        deque.add("B");
        System.out.println("Removed from front: " + deque.removeFirst());
        System.out.println("Removed from back: " + deque.removeLast());
    }
}

Output:

Removed from front: A
Removed from back: B

Example 4: Using pollFirst and pollLast

This example shows how to use pollFirst and pollLast to retrieve and remove elements.

import java.util.ArrayDeque;
import java.util.Deque;

public class PollExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Deque<Integer> deque = new ArrayDeque<>();
        deque.add(10);
        deque.add(20);
        System.out.println("Polled from front: " + deque.pollFirst());
        System.out.println("Polled from back: " + deque.pollLast());
    }
}

Output:

Polled from front: 10
Polled from back: 20

Example 5: Using getFirst and getLast

This example demonstrates retrieving elements from both ends without removal.

import java.util.ArrayDeque;
import java.util.Deque;

public class GetExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Deque<String> deque = new ArrayDeque<>();
        deque.add("First");
        deque.add("Last");
        System.out.println("First element: " + deque.getFirst());
        System.out.println("Last element: " + deque.getLast());
    }
}

Output:

First element: First
Last element: Last

Example 6: Using peekFirst and peekLast

This example shows how to peek at elements at both ends of a Deque.

import java.util.ArrayDeque;
import java.util.Deque;

public class PeekExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Deque<String> deque = new ArrayDeque<>();
        deque.add("Start");
        deque.add("End");
        System.out.println("Peek first: " + deque.peekFirst());
        System.out.println("Peek last: " + deque.peekLast());
    }
}

Output:

Peek first: Start
Peek last: End

5. Conclusion

The Deque interface in Java provides versatile methods for working with elements at both ends of a queue. It is useful for scenarios requiring double-ended queue operations, enhancing flexibility in data manipulation. Common implementations like ArrayDeque and LinkedList provide efficient options for different use cases.