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Java Java Data Structures - Retired Efficiency! Implement Chooser UI

Posted by Shawn De
Shawn De
44 Points

Not understood this part 

public Map<String , List<Song>> byArtist(){
    Map<String , List<Song>> byArtist.get(song.getArtist());
        for(Song song : mSongs ){
      List<Song> artistSongs = byArtist.get(song.getArtist());
        if(artistSongs == null){
          artistSongs = new ArrayList<>();
          byArtist.put(song.getArtist(), artistSongs);
        }
        artistSongs.add(song); 
    }     return byArtist;
    }

in this what will be output when artistSong == null , Will it print all the songs

and byArtist.put(song.getArtist(), artistSongs); what will this code do

Darth R3id4k
Darth R3id4k
Courses Plus Student 10,125 Points

O.K. --> use JShell - it can really help you understand this. On the beginning List<Song> artistSongs is null (you didn't use "new" to point it to the object so its only null reference to nothing). Moreover 

byArtist.get(song.getArtist());

returns empty (null) value for key (Artist) so the next step is to create artistSongs list for this Artist. Then

byArtist.put(song.getArtist(), artistSongs);

in map byArtist is been placed name of current artist from current song as a key and just created empty artistSongs list as a value.

If name of Artist repeat in next loop "if" condition statement will be ignored because artistSong of current artist will have value already and not returns null. Only if this statement will be given brand new Artist this variable will get null again.

I have written more here: >>>> https://teamtreehouse.com/community/regarding-the-difficulty-of-this-video