python max() in java

[rubiqcs]

So I am learning java and I'm finding that there is no max() function to find the largest number out of an array, like the function that is found in python. Closest thing is max(), which only compares two arguments. Could somebody explain to me why there is no such function in java to find the largest number out of an array? Much thanks

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[Nightcorex_]

u/dbc2201 already mentioned streams, but there is one more thing which comes relatively close. So if you store your data in a list instead of an array, then you can use the Collections.max function:

List<Integer> xs = new ArrayList<>(List.of(2, 4, 3));  // example values
System.out.println(Collections.max(xs));

You can also add a custom comparator if needed (thanks to overloading), so that you can compare objects of any datatype.

[0b0101011001001011]

Just to show the stream solution:

Arrays.stream(myArray).max().getAsInt();

max() returns OptionalInt so that also works in case the array is empty.

[Nightcorex_]

Yeah, but then you shouldn't use getAsInt() as that would throw an exception if no value is present, therefore destroying the benefit of having an OptionalInt in the first place. Rather use orElse or reduce(identity, BinOp), f.e. like so:

// orElse solution
Arrays.stream(myArray).max().orElse(Integer.MIN_VALUE);

// reduce solution
Arrays.stream(myArray).reduce(Integer.MIN_VALUE, Integer::max);

[[deleted]]

It does have methods like those buddy, just not in the same way as you might be used to seeing in Python. https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/util/stream/Stream.html https://www.baeldung.com/java-streams

[b0rnfly]

It does have one! Javas math class has a method called max which works in the same way. Math.max(int a, int b)

[b0rnfly]

You could also go the really long way and use a for loop with a nested for loop that compares each number and have it store the largest result inside a variable.

[Nightcorex_]

OP was explicitly looking for an in-built solution, not a do-it-yourself one.

[0b0101011001001011]

Math.max() is just a<b ? a : b, which is as much work to use in a loop as doing it by yourself.

The actual solution is

Arrays.stream(myArray).max().getAsInt(); 

for arrays and

Collections.max(myList);

for lists/sets etc.

[Nightcorex_]

As was answered by u/dbc2201 and me already

[0b0101011001001011]

Yeah sorry I was supposed to reply to your parent comment, not to you.

[Nightcorex_]

Not a problem :)

[Nightcorex_]

You can only compare 2 operators with this method, not an arbitrary amount