Most efficient way to see if an ArrayList contains an object in Java

Question

I have an ArrayList of objects in Java. The objects have four fields, two of which I\'d use to consider the object equal to another. I\'m looking for the most efficient wa

Answer 1

If you need to search many time in the same list, it may pay off to build an index.

Iterate once through, and build a HashMap with the equals value you are looking for as the key and the appropriate node as the value. If you need all instead of anyone of a given equals value, then let the map have a value type of list and build the whole list in the initial iteration.

Please note that you should measure before doing this as the overhead of building the index may overshadow just traversing until the expected node is found.