When to use a List over an Array in Java?

Question

In Java, when would it be preferential to use a List rather than an Array?

Answer 1

In many cases the type of collection used is an implementation detail which shouldn't be exposed to the outside world. The more generic your returntype is the more flexibility you have changing the implementation afterwards.

Arrays (primitive type, ie. new int[10]) are not generic, you won't be able to change you implementation without an internal conversion or altering the client code. You might want to consider Iterable as a returntype.