When working with Java collections ( especially from the Java Collections Framework ), two commonly used classes are ArrayList and LinkedList . Both are part of the List interface , but they behave very differently internally.

Let’s break it down in a simple way.

What is an ArrayList?

An ArrayList is like a dynamic array .

Internally uses a resizable array

Elements are stored in continuous memory locations

Fast for accessing elements using index

Example:

ArrayList < String > list = new ArrayList <>(); list . add ( "Apple" ); list . add ( "Banana" ); System . out . println ( list . get ( 1 )); // Banana

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What is a LinkedList?

A LinkedList is made up of nodes .

Each element (node) contains:

1.Data

2.Reference to next node (and previous node in doubly linked list)

Elements are not stored in continuous memory

Example:

LinkedList < String > list = new LinkedList <>(); list . add ( "Apple" ); list . add ( "Banana" ); System . out . println ( list .…