The Difference between Map and MultivaluedMap in Java

Difference Between Map and MultivaluedMap in Java

Java provides a number of data structures for organizing data, with the Map and MultivaluedMap being two of the most popular. While they are similar in concept, there are some key differences to consider when deciding which one to use.

Map

A Map is a collection that maps a key to a single value. For example, a Map might store an account number as a key and a corresponding customer name as the value. A Map stores key/value pairs, so a given key can only be mapped to one value at a time.

MultivaluedMap

A MultivaluedMap is similar to a Map, in that it maps a key to one or more values. For example, a MultivaluedMap might store an account number as a key and a corresponding list of customer names as the values. A MultivaluedMap stores key/multiple-value pairs, so a given key can be mapped to more than one value.

Comparison

The primary difference between a Map and a MultivaluedMap is the type of data that is stored. A Map stores a single value for each key, while a MultivaluedMap can store multiple values for a single key. Which one should you use? That depends on your data and how you want to organize it. If you don't need to store multiple values per key, a Map is the better choice. But if you do need to store multiple values, then a MultivaluedMap is the way to go.