Bugs in java.util.ArrayList, java.util.Hashtable and java.io.ByteArrayOutputStream

[Ulf Zibis]

Am 05.03.2010 10:04, schrieb Martin Buchholz:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> As you've noticed, creating objects within a factor of two of
> their natural limits is a good way to expose lurking bugs.
>
> I'm the one responsible for the algorithm in ArrayList.
> I'm a bit embarrassed, looking at that code today.
> We could set the array size to Integer.MAX_VALUE,
> but then you might hit an independent buglet in hotspot
> that you cannot allocate an array with Integer.MAX_VALUE
> elements, but Integer.MAX_VALUE - 5 (or so) works.
>    

I think, using a max size of Integer.MAX_VALUE - x looks awful, in 
particular if it's badly commented in the sources.
I suggest to introduce something like 
System.MAX_COLLECTION_SIZE/CAPACITY or .maxCollectionSize/Capacity().

-Ulf