easier work with collections: default Stream.toList?

[Paul Sandoz]

On Sep 29, 2013, at 6:31 PM, Paul Benedict <pbenedict at apache.org> wrote:

> I think, at one time, someone recommended toArray() and Brain said this
> would obviously fail with infinite streams.

It would, although i don't recall that being discussed in reference to not including toArray. It's no different to collect(toList()) failing either, or any other operation that may not terminate due to infinite input.


> Wouldn't toList() bring the
> same consequences?
> 

The main reasons for resisting Stream.toList etc are:

  1) It ties streams to the existing collections API; and

  2) If we add a few then people may likely want more.

i.e. pollution and not enough pollution respectively :-)

I like the purity of streams. 

However, I find the arguments are persuasive for adding a few, say for List<T> and Map<K, List<T>> for common cases of toList and groupingBy. New users need not run into Collector immediately and for more experienced users it's just more concise.

Paul.