java.util

Interface Comparator<T>

  • Type Parameters:
    T - the type of objects that may be compared by this comparator
    All Known Implementing Classes:
    Collator, RuleBasedCollator
    Functional Interface:
    This is a functional interface and can therefore be used as the assignment target for a lambda expression or method reference. 

    @FunctionalInterface
public interface Comparator<T>
    A comparison function, which imposes a total ordering on some collection of objects. Comparators can be passed to a sort method (such as Collections.sort or Arrays.sort) to allow precise control over the sort order. Comparators can also be used to control the order of certain data structures (such as sorted sets or sorted maps), or to provide an ordering for collections of objects that don't have a natural ordering.

    The ordering imposed by a comparator c on a set of elements S is said to be consistent with equals if and only if c.compare(e1, e2)==0 has the same boolean value as e1.equals(e2) for every e1 and e2 in S.

    Caution should be exercised when using a comparator capable of imposing an ordering inconsistent with equals to order a sorted set (or sorted map). Suppose a sorted set (or sorted map) with an explicit comparator c is used with elements (or keys) drawn from a set S. If the ordering imposed by c on S is inconsistent with equals, the sorted set (or sorted map) will behave "strangely." In particular the sorted set (or sorted map) will violate the general contract for set (or map), which is defined in terms of equals.

    For example, suppose one adds two elements a and b such that (a.equals(b) && c.compare(a, b) != 0) to an empty TreeSet with comparator c. The second add operation will return true (and the size of the tree set will increase) because a and b are not equivalent from the tree set's perspective, even though this is contrary to the specification of the Set.add method.

    Note: It is generally a good idea for comparators to also implement java.io.Serializable, as they may be used as ordering methods in serializable data structures (like TreeSet, TreeMap). In order for the data structure to serialize successfully, the comparator (if provided) must implement Serializable.

    For the mathematically inclined, the relation that defines the imposed ordering that a given comparator c imposes on a given set of objects S is:

           {(x, y) such that c.compare(x, y) <= 0}.
    The quotient for this total order is: 
           {(x, y) such that c.compare(x, y) == 0}.
    It follows immediately from the contract for compare that the quotient is an equivalence relation on S, and that the imposed ordering is a total order on S. When we say that the ordering imposed by c on S is consistent with equals, we mean that the quotient for the ordering is the equivalence relation defined by the objects' equals(Object) method(s): 
         {(x, y) such that x.equals(y)}.

    Unlike Comparable, a comparator may optionally permit comparison of null arguments, while maintaining the requirements for an equivalence relation.

    This interface is a member of the Java Collections Framework.

    Since:
    1.2
    See Also:
    Comparable, Serializable

    • Method Summary

      Modifier and Type Method and Description
      int compare(T o1, T o2)
      Compares its two arguments for order.
      static <T,U extends Comparable<? super U>> Comparator<T> comparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor)
      Accepts a function that extracts a Comparable sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.
      static <T,U> Comparator<T> comparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor, Comparator<? super U> keyComparator)
      Accepts a function that extracts a sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key using the specified Comparator.
      static <T> Comparator<T> comparingDouble(ToDoubleFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
      Accepts a function that extracts a double sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.
      static <T> Comparator<T> comparingInt(ToIntFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
      Accepts a function that extracts an int sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.
      static <T> Comparator<T> comparingLong(ToLongFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
      Accepts a function that extracts a long sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.
      boolean equals(Object obj)
      Indicates whether some other object is "equal to" this comparator.
      static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Comparator<T> naturalOrder()
      Returns a comparator that compares Comparable objects in natural order.
      static <T> Comparator<T> nullsFirst(Comparator<? super T> comparator)
      Returns a null-friendly comparator that considers null to be less than non-null.
      static <T> Comparator<T> nullsLast(Comparator<? super T> comparator)
      Returns a null-friendly comparator that considers null to be greater than non-null.
      default Comparator<T> reversed()
      Returns a comparator that imposes the reverse ordering of this comparator.
      static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Comparator<T> reverseOrder()
      Returns a comparator that imposes the reverse of the natural ordering.
      default Comparator<T> thenComparing(Comparator<? super T> other)
      Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with another comparator.
      default <U extends Comparable<? super U>> Comparator<T> thenComparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor)
      Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with a function that extracts a Comparable sort key.
      default <U> Comparator<T> thenComparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor, Comparator<? super U> keyComparator)
      Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with a function that extracts a key to be compared with the given Comparator.
      default Comparator<T> thenComparingDouble(ToDoubleFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
      Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with a function that extracts a double sort key.
      default Comparator<T> thenComparingInt(ToIntFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
      Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with a function that extracts a int sort key.
      default Comparator<T> thenComparingLong(ToLongFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
      Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with a function that extracts a long sort key.

    • Method Detail

      • compare

        int compare(T o1,
            T o2)
        Compares its two arguments for order. Returns a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as the first argument is less than, equal to, or greater than the second.

        In the foregoing description, the notation sgn(expression) designates the mathematical signum function, which is defined to return one of -1, 0, or 1 according to whether the value of expression is negative, zero or positive.

        The implementor must ensure that sgn(compare(x, y)) == -sgn(compare(y, x)) for all x and y. (This implies that compare(x, y) must throw an exception if and only if compare(y, x) throws an exception.)

        The implementor must also ensure that the relation is transitive: ((compare(x, y)>0) && (compare(y, z)>0)) implies compare(x, z)>0.

        Finally, the implementor must ensure that compare(x, y)==0 implies that sgn(compare(x, z))==sgn(compare(y, z)) for all z.

        It is generally the case, but not strictly required that (compare(x, y)==0) == (x.equals(y)). Generally speaking, any comparator that violates this condition should clearly indicate this fact. The recommended language is "Note: this comparator imposes orderings that are inconsistent with equals."

        Parameters:
        o1 - the first object to be compared.
        o2 - the second object to be compared.
        Returns:
        a negative integer, zero, or a positive integer as the first argument is less than, equal to, or greater than the second.
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if an argument is null and this comparator does not permit null arguments
        ClassCastException - if the arguments' types prevent them from being compared by this comparator.

      • equals

        boolean equals(Object obj)
        Indicates whether some other object is "equal to" this comparator. This method must obey the general contract of Object.equals(Object). Additionally, this method can return true only if the specified object is also a comparator and it imposes the same ordering as this comparator. Thus, comp1.equals(comp2) implies that sgn(comp1.compare(o1, o2))==sgn(comp2.compare(o1, o2)) for every object reference o1 and o2.

        Note that it is always safe not to override Object.equals(Object). However, overriding this method may, in some cases, improve performance by allowing programs to determine that two distinct comparators impose the same order.

        Overrides:
        equals in class  Object
        Parameters:
        obj - the reference object with which to compare.
        Returns:
        true only if the specified object is also a comparator and it imposes the same ordering as this comparator.
        See Also:
        Object.equals(Object), Object.hashCode()

      • reversed

        default Comparator<T> reversed()
        Returns a comparator that imposes the reverse ordering of this comparator.
        Returns:
        a comparator that imposes the reverse ordering of this comparator.
        Since:
        1.8

      • thenComparing

        default Comparator<T> thenComparing(Comparator<? super T> other)
        Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with another comparator. If this Comparator considers two elements equal, i.e. compare(a, b) == 0, other is used to determine the order.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified comparator is also serializable.

        Parameters:
        other - the other comparator to be used when this comparator compares two objects that are equal.
        Returns:
        a lexicographic-order comparator composed of this and then the other comparator
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if the argument is null.
        Since:
        1.8

      • thenComparing

        default <U> Comparator<T> thenComparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor,
                                        Comparator<? super U> keyComparator)
        Returns a lexicographic-order comparator with a function that extracts a key to be compared with the given Comparator.
        Type Parameters:
        U - the type of the sort key
        Parameters:
        keyExtractor - the function used to extract the sort key
        keyComparator - the Comparator used to compare the sort key
        Returns:
        a lexicographic-order comparator composed of this comparator and then comparing on the key extracted by the keyExtractor function
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if either argument is null.
        Since:
        1.8
        See Also:
        comparing(Function, Comparator), thenComparing(Comparator)

      • reverseOrder

        static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Comparator<T> reverseOrder()
        Returns a comparator that imposes the reverse of the natural ordering.

        The returned comparator is serializable and throws NullPointerException when comparing null.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the Comparable type of element to be compared
        Returns:
        a comparator that imposes the reverse of the natural ordering on Comparable objects.
        Since:
        1.8
        See Also:
        Comparable

      • naturalOrder

        static <T extends Comparable<? super T>> Comparator<T> naturalOrder()
        Returns a comparator that compares Comparable objects in natural order.

        The returned comparator is serializable and throws NullPointerException when comparing null.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the Comparable type of element to be compared
        Returns:
        a comparator that imposes the natural ordering on Comparable objects.
        Since:
        1.8
        See Also:
        Comparable

      • nullsFirst

        static <T> Comparator<T> nullsFirst(Comparator<? super T> comparator)
        Returns a null-friendly comparator that considers null to be less than non-null. When both are null, they are considered equal. If both are non-null, the specified Comparator is used to determine the order. If the specified comparator is null, then the returned comparator considers all non-null values to be equal.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified comparator is serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of the elements to be compared
        Parameters:
        comparator - a Comparator for comparing non-null values
        Returns:
        a comparator that considers null to be less than non-null, and compares non-null objects with the supplied Comparator.
        Since:
        1.8

      • nullsLast

        static <T> Comparator<T> nullsLast(Comparator<? super T> comparator)
        Returns a null-friendly comparator that considers null to be greater than non-null. When both are null, they are considered equal. If both are non-null, the specified Comparator is used to determine the order. If the specified comparator is null, then the returned comparator considers all non-null values to be equal.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified comparator is serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of the elements to be compared
        Parameters:
        comparator - a Comparator for comparing non-null values
        Returns:
        a comparator that considers null to be greater than non-null, and compares non-null objects with the supplied Comparator.
        Since:
        1.8

      • comparing

        static <T,U> Comparator<T> comparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor,
                                     Comparator<? super U> keyComparator)
        Accepts a function that extracts a sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key using the specified Comparator.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified function and comparator are both serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of element to be compared
        U - the type of the sort key
        Parameters:
        keyExtractor - the function used to extract the sort key
        keyComparator - the Comparator used to compare the sort key
        Returns:
        a comparator that compares by an extracted key using the specified Comparator
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if either argument is null
        Since:
        1.8

      • comparing

        static <T,U extends Comparable<? super U>> Comparator<T> comparing(Function<? super T,? extends U> keyExtractor)
        Accepts a function that extracts a Comparable sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified function is also serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of element to be compared
        U - the type of the Comparable sort key
        Parameters:
        keyExtractor - the function used to extract the Comparable sort key
        Returns:
        a comparator that compares by an extracted key
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if the argument is null
        Since:
        1.8

      • comparingInt

        static <T> Comparator<T> comparingInt(ToIntFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
        Accepts a function that extracts an int sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified function is also serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of element to be compared
        Parameters:
        keyExtractor - the function used to extract the integer sort key
        Returns:
        a comparator that compares by an extracted key
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if the argument is null
        Since:
        1.8
        See Also:
        comparing(Function)

      • comparingLong

        static <T> Comparator<T> comparingLong(ToLongFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
        Accepts a function that extracts a long sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified function is also serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of element to be compared
        Parameters:
        keyExtractor - the function used to extract the long sort key
        Returns:
        a comparator that compares by an extracted key
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if the argument is null
        Since:
        1.8
        See Also:
        comparing(Function)

      • comparingDouble

        static <T> Comparator<T> comparingDouble(ToDoubleFunction<? super T> keyExtractor)
        Accepts a function that extracts a double sort key from a type T, and returns a Comparator<T> that compares by that sort key.

        The returned comparator is serializable if the specified function is also serializable.

        Type Parameters:
        T - the type of element to be compared
        Parameters:
        keyExtractor - the function used to extract the double sort key
        Returns:
        a comparator that compares by an extracted key
        Throws:
        NullPointerException - if the argument is null
        Since:
        1.8
        See Also:
        comparing(Function)