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Is it possible to make an array of an array? What I am trying to do is basically make a an array of another array without duplicates.

For example: 

String[] colour ={"blue","blue","red","blue","red","red","orange","yellow","purple","green","blue"};

and then make a new array from String[] colour into:

String[] uniqueColour = {"blue","red","orange","yellow","purple","green"}

using a function and without just declaring it? Cause lets say I change all the values of String[] Colour and turn it into 

String[] Fruits = {"Apple","Banana","Orange","Tomato","Apple","Banana"}

then without doing or changing anything else the function should create

String[] uniqueColour ={"Apple","Banana","Orange","Tomato"}

Does such a thing exist? Sorry for the trouble. And I'm new to java as well.

A thank you to anyone who can contribute or help me out.

EDIT: Okay so by using this: - Thanks to Doorknob's answer

Set<String> uniqueSet = new HashSet<String>(Arrays.asList(colour));
String[] uniqueColours = uniqueSet.toArray(new String[0]);

how would I then try to display it as:

Blue
Red
Yellow
Green
Purple
ect

instead of [Blue,Red,Yellow,Green,Purple,etc]

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4
  • "then without doing or changing anything else the function should create" - Then how do you think things are changed? Commented Apr 18, 2013 at 12:13
  • Is it possible to make an array of an array? Yes , but what are you trying to achieve is very vague ! Commented Apr 18, 2013 at 12:13
  • 1
    When we say "array of arrays" we mean a two-dimensional array -- an array where each element is another array. You seem to be asking about removing duplicates, so your wording is quite confusing. Commented Apr 18, 2013 at 12:15
  • Oh I'm sorry guys I am terrible at explaining things I'll edit it. Commented Apr 18, 2013 at 12:18

1 Answer 1

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Use a Set to remove duplicates:

Set<String> uniqueSet = new HashSet<String>(Arrays.asList(colour));
String[] uniqueColours = uniqueSet.toArray(new String[0]);

To display it in the way you wanted:

for (String s : uniqueColors) System.out.println(s);
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3 Comments

How would I display the String[] Unique Colours? By that I mean instead of it showing up as [blue,red,orange,yellow,purple,green] I want to display it as Blue\nRed\nOrange\nYellow\nPurple\nGreen
@Leo Why the unaccept? Did it not work?
@Leo Is there anything wrong with this solution?

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