String Functions

TOP Java String Methods for DSA

Method What it does Example

length() Returns length of the string "abc".length() → 3

charAt(index) Returns character at given index "hello".charAt(1) → 'e'

substring(start, end) Returns substring from start to end-1 "hello".substring(1, 4) → "ell"

Checks if two strings are equal (case-

equals(str) "abc".equals("abc") → true
sensitive)

"abc".equalsIgnoreCase("ABC") →
equalsIgnoreCase(str) Compares strings ignoring case
true

contains(str) Checks if string contains substring "hello".contains("ell") → true

indexOf(ch) Finds index of first occurrence "hello".indexOf('l') → 2

lastIndexOf(ch) Finds index of last occurrence "hello".lastIndexOf('l') → 3

toCharArray() Converts string to a character array "abc".toCharArray() → ['a','b','c']

Splits string into words using space or

split(" ") "I love Java".split(" ")
regex

replace(old, new) Replaces all old chars with new ones "abc".replace('a','z') → "zbc"

startsWith(str) Checks if string starts with given str "hello".startsWith("he") → true

endsWith(str) Checks if string ends with given str "hello".endsWith("lo") → true

trim() Removes leading and trailing spaces " hello ".trim() → "hello"

toLowerCase() Converts entire string to lowercase "HELLO".toLowerCase() → "hello"

toUpperCase() Converts entire string to uppercase "hello".toUpperCase() → "HELLO"

isEmpty() Checks if string is empty (length == 0) "".isEmpty() → true

Compares two strings

compareTo(str) "abc".compareTo("abd") → -1
lexicographically
 Bonus: Useful for Logic Building

Function Use case

charAt(i) + loop Check each character in string

toCharArray() + sort Useful in anagram problems

substring(i, j) Needed in palindrome or substring problems

split(" ") For word-level reversal, parsing

equals() and equalsIgnoreCase() For comparisons

replace() For pattern substitution

StringBuilder.append() Efficient string construction in loops

 Array Functions

Top Java Array Functions & Techniques for DSA

1. Array Basics

Function/Concept Use / Example

Length of the array

arr.length
arr.length → 5

arr[i] Access element at index i

arr[i] = value Assign value to element at index i

for (int i=0; i<arr.length; i++) Basic iteration

2. Utility Functions (from Arrays class)

Import required:
java
CopyEdit
import java.util.Arrays;

Function What it does

Arrays.sort(arr) Sorts array in ascending order

Arrays.sort(arr, Collections.reverseOrder()) Sorts in descending (only for Integer[])

Arrays.copyOf(arr, newLength) Copies array to new size

Arrays.equals(arr1, arr2) Compares two arrays

Arrays.fill(arr, value) Fills all elements with a value

Arrays.toString(arr) Converts array to printable string

Arrays.binarySearch(arr, key) Binary search in sorted array

Arrays.copyOfRange(arr, from, to) Copy subarray from index from to to-1

 3. Math Techniques Used in DSA

Concept Example / Use

Find sum sum += arr[i];

Find max if (arr[i] > max) max = arr[i];

Find min if (arr[i] < min) min = arr[i];

Prefix sum Running sum for range queries

Sliding window For fixed-size window operations

Two pointer Sorted array problems, pair sum, etc.

4. Looping Tricks

Use Case Code Example

Reverse array for (int i=n-1; i>=0; i--)

Swap two elements int temp=a; a=b; b=temp;

Iterate with 2 pointers int i=0, j=n-1; while(i<j)

5. Advanced Concepts (DSA)

Topic How it's used in arrays

Hashing Use int[] freq = new int[256]; to store frequencies

Sorting Use Arrays.sort() or implement bubble/selection/merge sort

Searching Use binary search or linear search

Subarrays Nested loops / Kadane’s Algorithm

2D Arrays int[][] matrix = new int[3][3]; with nested loops

 Most Common Array Use Cases in DSA

Use Case Functions / Code Used

Find largest/smallest element for loop with if

Reverse array Two-pointer swap logic

Remove duplicates Extra array / visited[]

Count frequency Frequency array

Rotate array Use temp array or reverse parts

Sort + Binary search Arrays.sort() + Arrays.binarySearch()

Sum of subarray Nested loops or Kadane’s algorithm

Summary Cheat Table

Type Methods / Keywords

Basic arr.length, arr[i]

Traversal for, for-each, while, 2 pointers

Sorting Arrays.sort(), custom sort

Copying Arrays.copyOf(), copyOfRange()

Searching Arrays.binarySearch()

Utility Arrays.toString(), equals(), fill()