Which Interface Declares Core Methods in Java Collections? My Experience with the Java Collection Framework

When I first started learning Java, I found the concept of collections fascinating but a little confusing. One question that really stumped me was:

“Which interface declares the core methods that all collections will have?”

If you’re struggling with this too, don’t worry — I’ve been there! In this blog, I’ll explain what I learned about the Collection interface and how it forms the foundation of the Java Collection Framework.

My First Encounter with the Java Collection Framework

When I started coding in Java, I used simple arrays for storing data. But as my projects grew, I realized arrays had limitations — they were fixed in size and lacked flexibility. That’s when I discovered the Java Collection Framework (JCF).

Initially, I thought all interfaces like List, Set, and Map were independent. But soon, I learned that there’s one key interface that ties everything together: the Collection interface.

What I Learned About the Collection Interface

The Collection interface is the backbone of the Java Collection Framework. It provides a set of core methods…