Collection:

In Java, collections refer to a set of classes and interfaces that provide a way to store, manage, and manipulate groups of objects or elements. Collections are a fundamental part of the Java Collections Framework, which is a comprehensive library that offers various data structures and algorithms to handle collections of objects efficiently.


The main interfaces in the Java Collections Framework include List, Set, Queue, and Map. Each interface represents a different type of collection:


List: Represents an ordered collection of elements, allowing duplicate values. It maintains the insertion order and provides methods to access elements by their index.


Set: Represents an unordered collection of unique elements. It ensures that there are no duplicate values in the collection.


Queue: Represents a collection designed for holding elements before processing them. It typically follows a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) or priority-based order.


Map: Represents a key-value pair association. It allows you to store and retrieve values based on a unique key, offering fast retrieval of elements.


The Java Collections Framework provides numerous concrete implementations for each interface, offering different performance characteristics and functionalities. Developers can choose the appropriate collection type based on their specific needs and requirements.


Using collections in Java makes it easier to work with groups of data and enables the implementation of various algorithms and data structures efficiently.