Java HashMap is a member of theJava Collection Framework and is a very common way to collect and retrieve data.HashMap represents a data structure that offers key-value pairs storing, based on hashing. HashMap Methods provided, allow you to add, modify and remove elements when needed.

In this example, we are going to show how we can create a simpleHashMap and aHashMap where multiple values correspond to a key, as well as some basic functions to add and retrieveHashMap's objects.

HashMap is a member of theJava Collection Framework and is a very common way to collect and retrieve data.HashMap represents a data structure that offers key-value pairs storing, based on hashing.

You can also check this tutorial in the following video:

1. Syntax of the HashMap Java class

The general expression ofHashMap Class isClass HashMap<K,V>, where:

• K: specifies the type of keys maintained by this map
• V: defines the type of mapped values

HashMap includes some different expressions for its constructor:

• HashMap(): empty constructor with default values for initialCapacity and loadFactor.
• HashMap(int initialCapacity): constructs an emptyHashMap, in which initialCapacity is specified but load factor has its default value.
• HashMap(int initialCapacity, float loadFactor): constructs an emptyHashMap, specified by the initialCapacity and loadFactor.
• HashMap(Map m): a constructor of a newHashMap that includes the specified mapping.

The arguments are:

• initialCapacity: is the initial number of buckets of the hash table, where its default value is 16.
• loadFactor: represents the percentage of how full the hash table can be, before increasing its capacity. Its default value is 0.75

2. Properties of HashMap

• Java HashMap class contains values based on the key.
• Java HashMap class contains only unique keys.
• Java HashMap class may have one null key and multiple null values.
• Java HashMap class is non-synchronized.
• Java HashMap class maintains no order.
• The initial default capacity of Java HashMap class is 16 with a load factor of 0.75.

3. Hashmap in Collection hierarchy

HashMap class extends AbstractMap class and implements Map interface. As shown in the following figure-

4. Important methods in Java HashMap

Following are the method present injava.util.HashMap class-

1. clear(): Removes all of the mappings from this map.
2. clone(): Returns a shallow copy of this HashMap instance: the keys and values themselves are not cloned.
3. compute(K key, BiFunction remappingFunction): Attempts to compute a mapping for the specified key and its current mapped value (or null if there is no current mapping).
4. computeIfAbsent(K key, Function mappingfunction): If the specified key is not already associated with a value (or is mapped to null), attempts to compute its value using the given mapping function and enters it into this map unless null.
5. computeIfPresent(K key, BiFunction remappingfunction): If the value for the specified key is present and non-null, attempts to compute a new mapping given the key and its current mapped value.
6. containsKey(Object key): Returns true if this map contains a mapping for the specified key.
7. containsValue(Object value): Returns true if this map maps one or more keys to the specified value.
8. entrySet(): Returns a Set view of the mappings contained in this map.
9. forEach(): Performs the given action for each entry in this map until all entries have been processed or the action throws an exception.
10. get(Object key): Returns the value to which the specified key is mapped, or null if this map contains no mapping for the key.
11. getOrDefault(Object key, V defaultValue): Returns the value to which the specified key is mapped, or defaultValue if this map contains no mapping for the key.
12. isEmpty(): Returns true if this map contains no key-value mappings.
13. keySet(): Returns a Set view of the keys contained in this map.
14. merge(K key, V value, BiFunction remapping Function): If the specified key is not already associated with a value or is associated with null, associates it with the given non-null value.
15. put(K key, V value): Associates the specified value with the specified key in this map.
16. putAll(Map m): Copies all of the mappings from the specified map to this map.
17. putIfAbsent(K key, V value): If the specified key is not already associated with a value (or is mapped to null) associates it with the given value and returns null, else returns the current value.
18. remove(Object key): Removes the mapping for the specified key from this map if present.
19. remove(Object key, Object value): Removes the entry for the specified key only if it is currently mapped to the specified value.
20. replace(K key, V value): Replaces the entry for the specified key only if it is currently mapped to some value.
21. replace(K key, V oldValue, V newValue): Replaces the entry for the specified key only if currently mapped to the specified value.
22. replaceAll(BiFunction function): Replaces each entry’s value with the result of invoking the given function on that entry until all entries have been processed or the function throws an exception.
23. size(): Returns the number of key-value mappings in this map.
24. values(): Returns a Collection view of the values contained in this map.

4.1 compute(), computeIfAbsent() and computeIfPresent() methods in Java HashMap

Compute Method Demo

HashMap<Integer, String> nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");System.out.println("Initial map: " + nameMap);nameMap.compute(1, (key, val) -> val.concat(" Smith"));System.out.println("Map after re evaluating the value for key 1: " + nameMap);// will throw NullPointerException because key is not present//nameMap.compute(3, (key, val) -> val.concat(" Smith"));//Since key 4 is not present it will get inserted with key 4 and value StevenameMap.computeIfAbsent(4, key -> "Steve");System.out.println("Map after re evaluating the value for key 4 if it is absent: " + nameMap);//Since key 1 is present it will not get insertednameMap.computeIfAbsent(1, key -> "Steve");System.out.println("Map after re evaluating the value for key 1 if it is absent: " + nameMap);//Since key 4 is present its value will get calculated as per mapping functionnameMap.computeIfPresent(4, (key, val) -> val.concat(" Smith"));System.out.println("Map after re evaluating the value for key 1 if it is Present: " + nameMap);//Since key 5 is not present so its value will not get calculatednameMap.computeIfPresent(5, (key, val) -> val.concat(" Smith"));System.out.println("Map after re evaluating the value for key 1 if it is Present: " + nameMap);

Explanation:

• In the above code first, we are creating a map object with initial value as{1=John, 2=Jack}.
• At line 7 we are recomputing the value for the key 1 and appending “Smith” to its original value.
• At line 13 we are computing the value for the key 4 if the key does not already exist and storing “Smith” at key 4.
• Again at line 16, we are computing the value for the key 1 if the key does not already exist and storing “Steve” at key 1. Since the key already present so it will not affect the map object.
• At line 20 since key 4 already its value will get calculated as per mapping function.
• At line 23 Since key 5 is not present so its value will not get calculated.

Now let’s see the output:

Result

Initial map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Map after re evaluating the value for key 1: {1=John Smith, 2=Jack}Map after re evaluating the value for key 4 if it is absent: {1=John Smith, 2=Jack, 4=Steve}Map after re evaluating the value for key 1 if it is absent: {1=John Smith, 2=Jack, 4=Steve}Map after re evaluating the value for key 1 if it is Present: {1=John Smith, 2=Jack, 4=Steve Smith}Map after re evaluating the value for key 1 if it is Present: {1=John Smith, 2=Jack, 4=Steve Smith}

4.2 containsKey() and containsValue() method in Java HashMap

Contains Method Demo

HashMap<Integer, String> nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");//returns true because key 1 is present in mapSystem.out.println("Is key 1 present in map(" + nameMap + "? : " + nameMap.containsKey(1));//returns false because key 3 is not present in mapSystem.out.println("Is key 3 present in map(" + nameMap + "? : " + nameMap.containsKey(3));//returns true because value John is present in mapSystem.out.println("Is value John present in map(" + nameMap + "? : " + nameMap.containsValue("John"));//returns false because value Steve is not present in mapSystem.out.println("Is value Steve present in map(" + nameMap + "? : " + nameMap.containsValue("Steve"));

Explanation:

• In the above code first, we are creating a map object with initial value as{1=John, 2=Jack}.
• At line 5 and 7 we are calling containsKey() method for the existence of key 1 and 3 respectively. Since the key 1 is already present in the map it returns true but for key 3 because it’s not there on the map so it returns false.
• At line 10 and 12, we are calling containsValue() method for the existence of values “John” and “Steve” respectively. Since the value “John” is already present in the map it returns true but for value “Steve” because it’s not there on the map so it returns false.

Result

Is key 1 present in map({1=John, 2=Jack}? : trueIs key 3 present in map({1=John, 2=Jack}? : falseIs value John present in map({1=John, 2=Jack}? : trueIs value Steve present in map({1=John, 2=Jack}? : false

4.3 get() and getOrDefault() method in Java HashMap

Get Method Demo

HashMap<Integer, String> nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");//Since value for key 1 is present in map so get() returns its valueSystem.out.println("value for key 1 in map(" + nameMap + " is : " + nameMap.get(1));//Since value for key 3 is not present in map so get() returns nullSystem.out.println("value for key 3 in map(" + nameMap + " is : " + nameMap.get(3));//Since value for key 1 is present in map so getOrDefault() returns its valueSystem.out.println("value for key 1 in map(" + nameMap + " is present in map and value is: " + nameMap.getOrDefault(1, "Steve"));//Since value for key 1 is present in map so getOrDefault() returns default valueSystem.out.println("value for key 3 in map(" + nameMap + " is not present so default value is: " + nameMap.getOrDefault(3, "Steve"));

Explanation:

• In the above code first, we are creating a map object with initial value as{1=John, 2=Jack}.
• At line 5 and 7, we are calling get() method for key 1 and 3. Since Key 1 is present in the map so its value gets returned but for key 3 is not present in the map so null value gets returned back.
• At line 11 and 13, we are calling getOrDefault() method for key 1 and 3. Since Key 1 is present in the map so its value gets returned but for key 3 is not present in the map so default value “Steve” gets returned back.

Result

value for key 1 in map({1=John, 2=Jack} is : Johnvalue for key 3 in map({1=John, 2=Jack} is : nullvalue for key 1 in map({1=John, 2=Jack} is present in map and value is: Johnvalue for key 3 in map({1=John, 2=Jack} is not present so default value is: Steve

4.4 put(), putIfAbsent() and putAll() method in Java HashMap

Put Method Demo

HashMap<Integer, String> nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");System.out.println("Initial map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Adding element key 2 and value Jack");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Adding element key 2 and value Jack1 if key 2 is absent");nameMap.putIfAbsent(2, "Jack");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Adding element key 3 and value Steve if key 2 is absent");nameMap.putIfAbsent(3, "Steve");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);HashMap anotherNameMap = new HashMap();anotherNameMap.put(4, "Alex");System.out.println("Adding map "+ anotherNameMap+" to map "+nameMap);nameMap.putAll(anotherNameMap);System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);

Explanation:

• In the above code first, we are creating a map object with initial value as{1=John}.
• At line 7 we are using put() to simply inserting an entry as key 2 and value Jack”.
• At line 11 we are using putIfAbsent() to inserting an entry as key 2 and value Jack1. Since key 2 is already present it will not do anything.
• At line 15 we are using putIfAbsent() to inserting an entry as key 3 and value Steve. Since the key 3 is not present so it gets inserted into the map.
• At line 18 and 19, we are creating another map having Key = 4 and value Alex and at line, we are using putAll() method to insert elements of this map to the original map.

Now let’s have a look over the output of the above code-

Result

Initial map: {1=John}Adding element key 2 and value JackUpdated map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Adding element key 2 and value Jack1 if key 2 is absentUpdated map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Adding element key 3 and value Steve if key 2 is absentUpdated map: {1=John, 2=Jack, 3=Steve}Adding map {4=Alex} to map {1=John, 2=Jack, 3=Steve}Updated map: {1=John, 2=Jack, 3=Steve, 4=Alex}

4.5 remove() in Java HashMap

Remove Method Demo

HashMap<Integer, String> nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");nameMap.put(3, "Steve");nameMap.put(4, "Alex");System.out.println("Initial map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Removing entry with key 1");nameMap.remove(1);System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);//Since no key value pair matches no action will be takenSystem.out.println("Removing entry with key 3 and value Steve1");nameMap.remove(3, "Steve1");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);//Since key value pair matches it will remove corresponding entry from mapSystem.out.println("Removing entry with key 3 and value Steve");nameMap.remove(3, "Steve");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);

Explanation:

• In the above code first, we are creating a map object with initial value as{1=John, 2=Jack, 3=Steve, 4=Alex}.
• At line 9 we are calling remove() method with one argument to remove the entry with key = 1. Since it is already there on the map so it will get removed.
• At line 9 we are calling remove() method with two arguments to remove the entry with key = 3 and value = Steve1. Since no key-value pair matches, no action will be taken.
• At line 9 we are calling remove() method with two arguments to remove the entry with key = 3 and value = Steve. Since key-value pair matches, it will remove the corresponding entry from map.

Result

Initial map: {1=John, 2=Jack, 3=Steve, 4=Alex}Removing entry with key 1Updated map: {2=Jack, 3=Steve, 4=Alex}Removing entry with key 3 and value Steve1Updated map: {2=Jack, 3=Steve, 4=Alex}Removing entry with key 3 and value SteveUpdated map: {2=Jack, 4=Alex}

4.6 replace() and replaceAll() method in Java HashMap

Replace Method Demo

HashMap<Integer, String> nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");System.out.println("Initial map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Replacing value of entry with key 1 with Steve in map: " + nameMap);nameMap.replace(1, "Steve");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Replacing value of entry with key 1 value Steve with John in map: " + nameMap);nameMap.replace(1, "Steve", "John");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Replacing value of entry with key 1 value John1 with John in map: " + nameMap);nameMap.replace(1, "John1", "Steve");System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);System.out.println("Replacing value of all entries original value plus \"Smith\": " + nameMap);nameMap.replaceAll((key, val) -> val.concat(" Smith"));System.out.println("Updated map: " + nameMap);

Explanation:

• In the above code first, we are creating a map object with initial value as{1=John, 2=Jack}.
• At line 7 we are calling replace() method with 2 arguments to replace the value of entry with key 1 with value John in map.
• At line 11 we are calling replace() method with 3 arguments to replace the value of entry with key 1 and value Steve with value John in the map since this key-pair matches and its gets replaced.
• At line 15 we are calling replace() method with 3 arguments to replace the value of entry with key 1 and value John1 with value Steve in the map since this key-pair not matches so no action will be taken.
• At line 19 we are calling replaceAll() method with 1 argument to replace the value of each entry calculated by the function passed as the argument.

Result

Initial map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Replacing value of entry with key 1 with Steve in map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Updated map: {1=Steve, 2=Jack}Replacing value of entry with key 1 value Steve with John in map: {1=Steve, 2=Jack}Updated map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Replacing value of entry with key 1 value John1 with John in map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Updated map: {1=John, 2=Jack}Replacing value of all entries original value plus "Smith": {1=John, 2=Jack}Updated map: {1=John Smith, 2=Jack Smith}

5. Example of HashMap Java

As we mentioned we will create two differentHashMaps. The firstHashMap will be a simple one, so it will pair aString key with aInteger value. At the second one, we want to correspond many values into one key, so the values-argument is anArrayList.

Create a java class namedHashMapTest.java and add it into a Java project. Then, paste the following code.

HashMapTest.java

package com.javacodegeeks.javabasics.hashmaptest;import java.util.ArrayList;import java.util.HashMap;import java.util.Iterator;import java.util.List;import java.util.Map;import java.util.Map.Entry;import java.util.Set;public class HashMapTest {    public static void main(String[] args) {        // a simple hashMap declaration with default size and load factor        HashMap hashMap = new HashMap();        // hashMap with multiple values with default size and load factor        HashMap<String, ArrayList> multiMap = new HashMap<String, ArrayList>();        // Put elements to the hashMap        hashMap.put("USA", new Integer(1));        hashMap.put("UK", new Integer(2));        hashMap.put("China",new Integer(3));        // take a value of a specific key        System.out.println("Simple HashMap: Key 'UK' has value = " + hashMap.get("UK"));        // see if a specific value or key is into the hashMap        System.out.println("Simple HashMap contains value '1' - " + hashMap.containsValue(1));        System.out.println("Simple HashMap contains key 'Greece' - "        + hashMap.containsKey("Greece"));        // create an arrayList to store values        ArrayList listOne = new ArrayList();        listOne.add("Blue");        listOne.add("Black");        listOne.add("Brown");        // create list two and store values        ArrayList listTwo = new ArrayList();        listTwo.add("Pink");        listTwo.add("Purple");        // put values into map        multiMap.put("B color", listOne);        multiMap.put("P color", listTwo);        // Get a set of the entries        Set<Entry<String, ArrayList>> setMap = multiMap.entrySet();        // Get an iterator        Iterator<Entry<String, ArrayList>> iteratorMap = setMap.iterator();        System.out.println("\nHashMap with Multiple Values");        // display all the elements        while(iteratorMap.hasNext()) {            Map.Entry<String, ArrayList> entry =             (Map.Entry<String, ArrayList>) iteratorMap.next();            String key = entry.getKey();            List values = entry.getValue();            System.out.println("Key = '" + key + "' has values: " + values);        }    }}

Output

Simple HashMap: Key 'UK' has value = 2Simple HashMap contains value '1' - trueSimple HashMap contains key 'Greece' - falseHashMap with Multiple ValuesKey = 'P color' has values: [Pink, Purple]Key = 'B color' has values: [Blue, Black, Brown]

Let’s explain the above code. As you can see, put() method is called in order to add pairs of key-value in theHashMap. For multiple values, we should create an instance of anArrayList (or aList in other occasions) and add the values in it, before putting the whole list into theHashMap. To retrieve all the elements of theHashMap we have to make a small procedure, that is based onIterator. Firstly, we should get all the sets of pairs that are contained into theHashMap, by callingentrySet() method. Then we have to get anIterator for the entries set, in order to loop through the entireHashMap and perform operations on each key-value pair.

Moreover, we used some other methods that the class provide us in order to handle some situations easily. In order to retrieve a single value by knowing its key,get the method is called, putting the specified key as a parameter. Also to learn about the existence of a key or a value, containsKey() andcontainsValue()methods are used respectively. These methods return a boolean value (true or false), in order to express if a key or a value exists in the map.

6. Different ways to iterate Java HashMap

There are many ways to iterate over HashMap in java. Let’s see each method in detail-

Iterating Map

HashMap nameMap = new HashMap();nameMap.put(1, "John");nameMap.put(2, "Jack");System.out.println("Iterating by using Entry and entrySet()");for (Map.Entry entry : nameMap.entrySet())    System.out.println("Key = " + entry.getKey() + ", Value = " + entry.getValue());System.out.println("Iterating over keys using For-Each loop");for (Integer key : nameMap.keySet())    System.out.println("Key = " + key + ", Value = " + nameMap.get(key));System.out.println("Iterating over values using For-Each loop");for (String value : nameMap.values())    System.out.println("Value = " + value);System.out.println("Iterating using Iterator");Iterator<Map.Entry> entries = nameMap.entrySet().iterator();while (entries.hasNext()) {    Map.Entry entry = entries.next();    System.out.println("Key = " + entry.getKey() + ", Value = " + entry.getValue());}System.out.println("Iterating over keys and searching for values");for (Integer key : nameMap.keySet()) {    String value = nameMap.get(key);    System.out.println("Key = " + key + ", Value = " + value);}System.out.println("Iterating by java8 foreach");nameMap.forEach((k,v)->System.out.println("Item : " + k + " Count : " + v));

Result

Iterating by using Entry and entrySet()Key = 1, Value = JohnKey = 2, Value = JackIterating over keys using For-Each loopKey = 1, Value = JohnKey = 2, Value = JackIterating over values using For-Each loopValue = JohnValue = JackIterating using IteratorKey = 1, Value = JohnKey = 2, Value = JackIterating over keys and searching for valuesKey = 1, Value = JohnKey = 2, Value = JackIterating by java8 foreachItem : 1 Count : JohnItem : 2 Count : Jack

Now you can see the results below, in the output of the executable:

7. More articles

• Java Map Example
• Hashset Java Example

8. Download the Source Code

This was an example of HashMap in Java.

Last updated on Jan. 17th, 2022

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