2D array in Java using characters including special characters as index

Question

Is it possible to create a 2d array in java, such the column and row names are letter-characters and we can access like array[E][*] = ... ?

Here we can't use map because Map corresponds to 1-D array. So what will be the other alternatives ?

Possible duplicate of Java: Create an array with letter characters as index — Chris Gong
– Chris Gong, Commented Feb 23, 2017 at 3:40
You can use a 26 X 26 array and index it using the value (letter - 'a') if it is a lowercase letter, and (letter -'A') if it is an uppercase letter. — David Choweller
– David Choweller, Commented Feb 23, 2017 at 3:40

ankit MISHRA · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-23 04:34:06Z

0

As you said in the comments that Map corresponds to 1D array, why not use Map of Maps.

Map<Character,Map<Character,Character>> outerMap = new HashMap<Character, Map<Character, Character>>();

and use a simple method to fetch your data:

public char getValue(char row ,char column, Map<Character,Map<Character,Character>> outerMap) {

return  outerMap.get(row).get(column);

}

Good Luck!

answered Feb 23, 2017 at 4:34

ankit MISHRA

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