Merge lists with stream API

JavaListJava 8Java Stream

Java Problem Overview


I have the following situation

Map<Key, ListContainer> map; 

public class ListContainer {
  List<AClass> lst;
}

I have to merge all the lists lst from the ListContainer objects from a Map map.

public static void main(String[] args) {
   List<AClass> alltheObjectsAClass = map.values().stream(). // continue....    
}

Any idea how, using Java 8 stream API?

Java Solutions


Solution 1 - Java

I think flatMap() is what you're looking for.

For example:

 List<AClass> allTheObjects = map.values()
         .stream()
         .flatMap(listContainer -> listContainer.lst.stream())
         .collect(Collectors.toList());

Solution 2 - Java

Alternative: Stream.concat()

Stream.concat(map.values().stream(), listContainer.lst.stream())
                             .collect(Collectors.toList()

Solution 3 - Java

Already answered above, but here's another approach you could take. I can't find the original post I adapted this from, but here's the code for the sake of your question. As noted above, the flatMap() function is what you'd be looking to utilize with Java 8. You can throw it in a utility class and just call "RandomUtils.combine(list1, list2, ...);" and you'd get a single List with all values. Just be careful with the wildcard - you could change this if you want a less generic method. You can also modify it for Sets - you just have to take care when using flatMap() on Sets to avoid data loss from equals/hashCode methods due to the nature of the Set interface.

Edit - If you use a generic method like this for the Set interface, and you happen to use Lombok, make sure you understand how Lombok handles equals/hashCode generation.

  /**
    * Combines multiple lists into a single list containing all elements of
    * every list.
    * 
    * @param <T> - The type of the lists.
    * @param lists - The group of List implementations to combine
    * @return a single List<?> containing all elements of the passed in lists.
    */
   public static <T> List<?> combine(final List<?>... lists) {
      return Stream.of(lists).flatMap(List::stream).collect(Collectors.toList());
   }

Solution 4 - Java

In Java 8 we can use stream List1.stream().collect(Collectors.toList()).addAll(List2); Another option List1.addAll(List2)

Solution 5 - Java

To merge several lists or other types of collections into a single one you can use this approach:

Stream.of(list1.stream(), list2.stream(), someSet.stream(), otherCollection.stream())
    .flatMap(Function.identity())
    .collect(Collectors.toList());

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Content TypeOriginal AuthorOriginal Content on Stackoverflow
Questionmat_boyView Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - JavaPuceView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - JavaSkywalkerView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - JavablauView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - JavaKonzernView Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 5 - JavaSergey NemchinovView Answer on Stackoverflow