# CopyOnWriteArraySet

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  
Summary:[Ctors](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#pubctors)\|[Methods](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#pubmethods)\|[Inherited Methods](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#inhmethods)  

# CopyOnWriteArraySet

`
public


class
CopyOnWriteArraySet
`  
`


``


``

extends `[AbstractSet](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractSet)`<E>


``


implements

`[Serializable](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/io/Serializable)`


`

|---|---|---|-----------------------------------------------|
| [java.lang.Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object) ||||
| ↳ | [java.util.AbstractCollection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection)\<E\> |||
|   | ↳ | [java.util.AbstractSet](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractSet)\<E\> ||
|   |   | ↳ | java.util.concurrent.CopyOnWriteArraySet\<E\> |

<br />

*** ** * ** ***

A[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)that uses an internal[CopyOnWriteArrayList](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArrayList)for all of its operations. Thus, it shares the same basic properties:

- It is best suited for applications in which set sizes generally stay small, read-only operations vastly outnumber mutative operations, and you need to prevent interference among threads during traversal.
- It is thread-safe.
- Mutative operations (`add`,`set`,`remove`, etc.) are expensive since they usually entail copying the entire underlying array.
- Iterators do not support the mutative`remove`operation.
- Traversal via iterators is fast and cannot encounter interference from other threads. Iterators rely on unchanging snapshots of the array at the time the iterators were constructed.

**Sample Usage.**The following code sketch uses a copy-on-write set to maintain a set of Handler objects that perform some action upon state updates.  

     class Handler { void handle() { ... } }

     class X {
       private final CopyOnWriteArraySet<Handler> handlers
         = new CopyOnWriteArraySet<>();
       public void addHandler(Handler h) { handlers.add(h); }

       private long internalState;
       private synchronized void changeState() { internalState = ...; }

       public void update() {
         changeState();
         for (Handler handler : handlers)
           handler.handle();
       }
     }

This class is a member of the[Java Collections Framework](https://reference/java/util/package-summary.html#CollectionsFramework).  
**See also:**

- [CopyOnWriteArrayList](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArrayList)

## Summary

|                                                                                                                                                              ### Public constructors                                                                                                                                                               ||
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---|
| ` `[CopyOnWriteArraySet](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#CopyOnWriteArraySet())`() ` Creates an empty set.                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| ` `[CopyOnWriteArraySet](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#CopyOnWriteArraySet(java.util.Collection<?%20extends%20E>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<? extends E> c) ` Creates a set containing all of the elements of the specified collection. |

|                                                                                                                                                                                                         ### Public methods                                                                                                                                                                                                         ||
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[add](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#add(E))`(E e) ` Adds the specified element to this set if it is not already present.                                                                                                                                                               |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[addAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#addAll(java.util.Collection<?%20extends%20E>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<? extends E> c) ` Adds all of the elements in the specified collection to this set if they're not already present. |
| ` void`                                                                              | ` `[clear](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#clear())`() ` Removes all of the elements from this set.                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[contains](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#contains(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Returns`true`if this set contains the specified element.                                                                               |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[containsAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#containsAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Returns`true`if this set contains all of the elements of the specified collection.                             |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Compares the specified object with this set for equality.                                                                                  |
| ` void`                                                                              | ` `[forEach](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#forEach(java.util.function.Consumer<?%20super%20E>))`(`[Consumer](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/function/Consumer)`<? super E> action) `                                                                                   |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[isEmpty](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#isEmpty())`() ` Returns`true`if this set contains no elements.                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ` `[Iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Iterator)`<E>`       | ` `[iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#iterator())`() ` Returns an iterator over the elements contained in this set in the order in which these elements were added.                                                                                                                 |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[remove](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#remove(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Removes the specified element from this set if it is present.                                                                              |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[removeAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#removeAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Removes from this set all of its elements that are contained in the specified collection.                          |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[removeIf](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#removeIf(java.util.function.Predicate<?%20super%20E>))`(`[Predicate](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/function/Predicate)`<? super E> filter) `                                                                              |
| ` boolean`                                                                           | ` `[retainAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#retainAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Retains only the elements in this set that are contained in the specified collection.                              |
| ` int`                                                                               | ` `[size](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#size())`() ` Returns the number of elements in this set.                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| ` `[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)`<E>` | ` `[spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#spliterator())`() ` Returns a[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)over the elements in this set in the order in which these elements were added.                                                    |
| ` <T> T[]`                                                                           | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#toArray(T[]))`(T[] a) ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this set; the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array.                                                                                    |
| ` `[Object[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)              | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#toArray())`() ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this set.                                                                                                                                                                   |

| ### Inherited methods |
|-----------------------|---|
| From class` `[java.util.AbstractSet](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractSet)` ` |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` boolean` | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractSet#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Compares the specified object with this set for equality.                                                                              | | ` int`     | ` `[hashCode](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractSet#hashCode())`() ` Returns the hash code value for this set.                                                                                                                                                                                | | ` boolean` | ` `[removeAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractSet#removeAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Removes from this set all of its elements that are contained in the specified collection (optional operation). | ||
| From class` `[java.util.AbstractCollection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection)` ` |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[add](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#add(E))`(E e) ` Ensures that this collection contains the specified element (optional operation).                                                                                                                                                   | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[addAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#addAll(java.util.Collection<?%20extends%20E>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<? extends E> c) ` Adds all of the elements in the specified collection to this collection (optional operation).     | | ` void`                                                                                 | ` `[clear](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#clear())`() ` Removes all of the elements from this collection (optional operation).                                                                                                                                                              | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[contains](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#contains(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Returns`true`if this collection contains the specified element.                                                                         | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[containsAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#containsAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Returns`true`if this collection contains all of the elements in the specified collection.                       | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[isEmpty](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#isEmpty())`() ` Returns`true`if this collection contains no elements.                                                                                                                                                                           | | ` abstract `[Iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Iterator)`<E>` | ` `[iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#iterator())`() ` Returns an iterator over the elements contained in this collection.                                                                                                                                                           | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[remove](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#remove(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Removes a single instance of the specified element from this collection, if it is present (optional operation).                             | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[removeAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#removeAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Removes all of this collection's elements that are also contained in the specified collection (optional operation). | | ` boolean`                                                                              | ` `[retainAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#retainAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Retains only the elements in this collection that are contained in the specified collection (optional operation).   | | ` abstract int`                                                                         | ` `[size](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#size())`() ` Returns the number of elements in this collection.                                                                                                                                                                                    | | ` <T> T[]`                                                                              | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#toArray(T[]))`(T[] a) ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this collection; the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array.                                                                              | | ` `[Object[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)                 | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#toArray())`() ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this collection.                                                                                                                                                             | | ` `[String](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)                   | ` `[toString](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/AbstractCollection#toString())`() ` Returns a string representation of this collection.                                                                                                                                                                           | ||
| From class` `[java.lang.Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` ` |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` `[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)          | ` `[clone](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#clone())`() ` Creates and returns a copy of this object.                                                                                                                                                      | | ` boolean`                                                                     | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` obj) ` Indicates whether some other object is "equal to" this one.                                           | | ` void`                                                                        | ` `[finalize](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#finalize())`() ` Called by the garbage collector on an object when garbage collection determines that there are no more references to the object.                                                          | | ` final `[Class](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Class)`<?>` | ` `[getClass](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#getClass())`() ` Returns the runtime class of this`Object`.                                                                                                                                                | | ` int`                                                                         | ` `[hashCode](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#hashCode())`() ` Returns a hash code value for the object.                                                                                                                                                 | | ` final void`                                                                  | ` `[notify](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#notify())`() ` Wakes up a single thread that is waiting on this object's monitor.                                                                                                                            | | ` final void`                                                                  | ` `[notifyAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#notifyAll())`() ` Wakes up all threads that are waiting on this object's monitor.                                                                                                                         | | ` `[String](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String)          | ` `[toString](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#toString())`() ` Returns a string representation of the object.                                                                                                                                            | | ` final void`                                                                  | ` `[wait](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#wait(long,%20int))`(long timeoutMillis, int nanos) ` Causes the current thread to wait until it is awakened, typically by being*notified* or*interrupted*, or until a certain amount of real time has elapsed. | | ` final void`                                                                  | ` `[wait](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#wait(long))`(long timeoutMillis) ` Causes the current thread to wait until it is awakened, typically by being*notified* or*interrupted*, or until a certain amount of real time has elapsed.                   | | ` final void`                                                                  | ` `[wait](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object#wait())`() ` Causes the current thread to wait until it is awakened, typically by being*notified* or*interrupted*.                                                                                             | ||
| From interface` `[java.util.Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)` ` |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[add](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#add(E))`(E e) ` Adds the specified element to this set if it is not already present (optional operation).                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[addAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#addAll(java.util.Collection<?%20extends%20E>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<? extends E> c) ` Adds all of the elements in the specified collection to this set if they're not already present (optional operation).                                                          | | ` abstract void`                                                                             | ` `[clear](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#clear())`() ` Removes all of the elements from this set (optional operation).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[contains](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#contains(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Returns`true`if this set contains the specified element.                                                                                                                                                             | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[containsAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#containsAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Returns`true`if this set contains all of the elements of the specified collection.                                                                                                           | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[copyOf](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#copyOf(java.util.Collection<?%20extends%20E>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<? extends E> coll) ` Returns an[unmodifiable Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#unmodifiable)containing the elements of the given Collection. | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Compares the specified object with this set for equality.                                                                                                                                                                | | ` abstract int`                                                                              | ` `[hashCode](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#hashCode())`() ` Returns the hash code value for this set.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[isEmpty](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#isEmpty())`() ` Returns`true`if this set contains no elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | | ` abstract `[Iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Iterator)`<E>`      | ` `[iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#iterator())`() ` Returns an iterator over the elements in this set.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing three elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4, E e5, E e6, E e7, E e8, E e9) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing nine elements.                                                                                                                                                                     | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4, E e5) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing five elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4, E e5, E e6) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing six elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                       | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4, E e5, E e6, E e7, E e8) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing eight elements.                                                                                                                                                                               | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E[]))`(E... elements) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing an arbitrary number of elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of())`() ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing zero elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4, E e5, E e6, E e7, E e8, E e9, E e10) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing ten elements.                                                                                                                                                          | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing two elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4, E e5, E e6, E e7) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing seven elements.                                                                                                                                                                                          | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E,%20E,%20E,%20E))`(E e1, E e2, E e3, E e4) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing four elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | | ` static <E> `[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)`<E>`              | ` `[of](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#of(E))`(E e1) ` Returns an unmodifiable set containing one element.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[remove](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#remove(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Removes the specified element from this set if it is present (optional operation).                                                                                                                                       | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[removeAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#removeAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Removes from this set all of its elements that are contained in the specified collection (optional operation).                                                                                   | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[retainAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#retainAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Retains only the elements in this set that are contained in the specified collection (optional operation).                                                                                       | | ` abstract int`                                                                              | ` `[size](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#size())`() ` Returns the number of elements in this set (its cardinality).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | | ` default `[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)`<E>` | ` `[spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#spliterator())`() ` Creates a`Spliterator`over the elements in this set.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | | ` abstract `[Object[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)             | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#toArray())`() ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this set.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | | ` abstract <T> T[]`                                                                          | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#toArray(T[]))`(T[] a) ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this set; the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array.                                                                                                                                                                  | ||
| From interface` `[java.util.Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)` ` |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[add](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#add(E))`(E e) ` Ensures that this collection contains the specified element (optional operation).                                                                                                                                                                                                      | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[addAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#addAll(java.util.Collection<?%20extends%20E>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<? extends E> c) ` Adds all of the elements in the specified collection to this collection (optional operation).                                                        | | ` abstract void`                                                                             | ` `[clear](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#clear())`() ` Removes all of the elements from this collection (optional operation).                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[contains](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#contains(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Returns`true`if this collection contains the specified element.                                                                                                                            | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[containsAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#containsAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Returns`true`if this collection contains all of the elements in the specified collection.                                                                          | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[equals](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#equals(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Compares the specified object with this collection for equality.                                                                                                                               | | ` abstract int`                                                                              | ` `[hashCode](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#hashCode())`() ` Returns the hash code value for this collection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[isEmpty](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#isEmpty())`() ` Returns`true`if this collection contains no elements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | | ` abstract `[Iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Iterator)`<E>`      | ` `[iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#iterator())`() ` Returns an iterator over the elements in this collection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | | ` default `[Stream](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/stream/Stream)`<E>`    | ` `[parallelStream](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#parallelStream())`() ` Returns a possibly parallel`Stream`with this collection as its source.                                                                                                                                                                                               | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[remove](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#remove(java.lang.Object))`(`[Object](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)` o) ` Removes a single instance of the specified element from this collection, if it is present (optional operation).                                                                                | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[removeAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#removeAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Removes all of this collection's elements that are also contained in the specified collection (optional operation).                                                    | | ` default boolean`                                                                           | ` `[removeIf](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#removeIf(java.util.function.Predicate<?%20super%20E>))`(`[Predicate](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/function/Predicate)`<? super E> filter) ` Removes all of the elements of this collection that satisfy the given predicate.                                                 | | ` abstract boolean`                                                                          | ` `[retainAll](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#retainAll(java.util.Collection<?>))`(`[Collection](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection)`<?> c) ` Retains only the elements in this collection that are contained in the specified collection (optional operation).                                                      | | ` abstract int`                                                                              | ` `[size](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#size())`() ` Returns the number of elements in this collection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | | ` default `[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)`<E>` | ` `[spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#spliterator())`() ` Creates a[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)over the elements in this collection.                                                                                                                                                 | | ` default `[Stream](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/stream/Stream)`<E>`    | ` `[stream](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#stream())`() ` Returns a sequential`Stream`with this collection as its source.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | | ` abstract <T> T[]`                                                                          | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#toArray(T[]))`(T[] a) ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this collection; the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array.                                                                                                                                 | | ` abstract `[Object[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object)             | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#toArray())`() ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this collection.                                                                                                                                                                                                                | | ` default <T> T[]`                                                                           | ` `[toArray](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Collection#toArray(java.util.function.IntFunction<T[]>))`(`[IntFunction](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/function/IntFunction)`<T[]> generator) ` Returns an array containing all of the elements in this collection, using the provided`generator`function to allocate the returned array. | ||
| From interface` `[java.lang.Iterable](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Iterable)` ` |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ` default void`                                                                              | ` `[forEach](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Iterable#forEach(java.util.function.Consumer<?%20super%20T>))`(`[Consumer](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/function/Consumer)`<? super T> action) ` Performs the given action for each element of the`Iterable`until all elements have been processed or the action throws an exception. | | ` abstract `[Iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Iterator)`<E>`      | ` `[iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Iterable#iterator())`() ` Returns an iterator over elements of type`T`.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | | ` default `[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)`<E>` | ` `[spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Iterable#spliterator())`() ` Creates a[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)over the elements described by this`Iterable`.                                                                                                                                       | ||

## Public constructors

### CopyOnWriteArraySet

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public CopyOnWriteArraySet ()
```

Creates an empty set.

<br />

### CopyOnWriteArraySet

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public CopyOnWriteArraySet (Collection<? extends E> c)
```

Creates a set containing all of the elements of the specified collection.

<br />

|                                Parameters                                 ||
|-----|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `c` | `Collection`: the collection of elements to initially contain <br /> |

|                                                               Throws                                                                ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if the specified collection is null |

## Public methods

### add

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean add (E e)
```

Adds the specified element to this set if it is not already present. More formally, adds the specified element`e`to this set if the set contains no element`e2`such that`Objects.equals(e, e2)`. If this set already contains the element, the call leaves the set unchanged and returns`false`.

<br />

|                    Parameters                    ||
|-----|---------------------------------------------|
| `e` | `E`: element to be added to this set <br /> |

|                                      Returns                                      ||
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set did not already contain the specified element <br /> |

### addAll

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean addAll (Collection<? extends E> c)
```

Adds all of the elements in the specified collection to this set if they're not already present. If the specified collection is also a set, the`addAll`operation effectively modifies this set so that its value is the*union*of the two sets. The behavior of this operation is undefined if the specified collection is modified while the operation is in progress.

<br />

|                                    Parameters                                    ||
|-----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `c` | `Collection`: collection containing elements to be added to this set <br /> |

|                               Returns                               ||
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set changed as a result of the call <br /> |

|                                                               Throws                                                                ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if the specified collection is null |

**See also:**

- [add(Object)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#add(E))  

### clear

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public void clear ()
```

Removes all of the elements from this set. The set will be empty after this call returns.

<br />

### contains

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean contains (Object o)
```

Returns`true`if this set contains the specified element. More formally, returns`true`if and only if this set contains an element`e`such that`Objects.equals(o, e)`.

<br />

|                                Parameters                                ||
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `o` | `Object`: element whose presence in this set is to be tested <br /> |

|                              Returns                               ||
|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set contains the specified element <br /> |

### containsAll

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean containsAll (Collection<?> c)
```

Returns`true`if this set contains all of the elements of the specified collection. If the specified collection is also a set, this method returns`true`if it is a*subset*of this set.

<br />

|                                   Parameters                                   ||
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `c` | `Collection`: collection to be checked for containment in this set <br /> |

|                                           Returns                                            ||
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set contains all of the elements of the specified collection <br /> |

|                                                               Throws                                                                ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if the specified collection is null |

**See also:**

- [contains(Object)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#contains(java.lang.Object))  

### equals

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean equals (Object o)
```

Compares the specified object with this set for equality. Returns`true`if the specified object is the same object as this object, or if it is also a[Set](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set)and the elements returned by an[iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Set#iterator())over the specified set are the same as the elements returned by an iterator over this set. More formally, the two iterators are considered to return the same elements if they return the same number of elements and for every element`e1`returned by the iterator over the specified set, there is an element`e2`returned by the iterator over this set such that`Objects.equals(e1, e2)`.

<br />

|                               Parameters                               ||
|-----|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `o` | `Object`: object to be compared for equality with this set <br /> |

|                               Returns                                ||
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if the specified object is equal to this set <br /> |

### forEach

Added in[API level 24](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public void forEach (Consumer<? super E> action)
```

<br />

<br />

|         Parameters          ||
|----------|-------------------|
| `action` | `Consumer` <br /> |

|                                              Throws                                               ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---|
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) |   |

### isEmpty

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean isEmpty ()
```

Returns`true`if this set contains no elements.

<br />

|                         Returns                          ||
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set contains no elements <br /> |

### iterator

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public Iterator<E> iterator ()
```

Returns an iterator over the elements contained in this set in the order in which these elements were added.

The returned iterator provides a snapshot of the state of the set when the iterator was constructed. No synchronization is needed while traversing the iterator. The iterator does*NOT* support the`remove`method.

<br />

|                                                            Returns                                                            ||
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| [Iterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Iterator)`<E>` | an iterator over the elements in this set <br /> |

### remove

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean remove (Object o)
```

Removes the specified element from this set if it is present. More formally, removes an element`e`such that`Objects.equals(o, e)`, if this set contains such an element. Returns`true`if this set contained the element (or equivalently, if this set changed as a result of the call). (This set will not contain the element once the call returns.)

<br />

|                              Parameters                              ||
|-----|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| `o` | `Object`: object to be removed from this set, if present <br /> |

|                               Returns                               ||
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set contained the specified element <br /> |

### removeAll

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean removeAll (Collection<?> c)
```

Removes from this set all of its elements that are contained in the specified collection. If the specified collection is also a set, this operation effectively modifies this set so that its value is the*asymmetric set difference*of the two sets.

<br />

|                                      Parameters                                      ||
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `c` | `Collection`: collection containing elements to be removed from this set <br /> |

|                               Returns                               ||
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set changed as a result of the call <br /> |

|                                                                                                                                                         Throws                                                                                                                                                         ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [ClassCastException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/ClassCastException)     | if the class of an element of this set is incompatible with the specified collection ([optional](https://reference/java/util/Collection.html#optional-restrictions))                                                   |
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if this set contains a null element and the specified collection does not permit null elements ([optional](https://reference/java/util/Collection.html#optional-restrictions)), or if the specified collection is null |

**See also:**

- [remove(Object)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#remove(java.lang.Object))  

### removeIf

Added in[API level 24](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean removeIf (Predicate<? super E> filter)
```

<br />

<br />

|          Parameters          ||
|----------|--------------------|
| `filter` | `Predicate` <br /> |

|      Returns      ||
|-----------|--------|
| `boolean` | <br /> |

|                                              Throws                                               ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---|
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) |   |

### retainAll

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public boolean retainAll (Collection<?> c)
```

Retains only the elements in this set that are contained in the specified collection. In other words, removes from this set all of its elements that are not contained in the specified collection. If the specified collection is also a set, this operation effectively modifies this set so that its value is the*intersection*of the two sets.

<br />

|                                     Parameters                                      ||
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `c` | `Collection`: collection containing elements to be retained in this set <br /> |

|                               Returns                               ||
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| `boolean` | `true`if this set changed as a result of the call <br /> |

|                                                                                                                                                         Throws                                                                                                                                                         ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [ClassCastException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/ClassCastException)     | if the class of an element of this set is incompatible with the specified collection ([optional](https://reference/java/util/Collection.html#optional-restrictions))                                                   |
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if this set contains a null element and the specified collection does not permit null elements ([optional](https://reference/java/util/Collection.html#optional-restrictions)), or if the specified collection is null |

**See also:**

- [remove(Object)](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#remove(java.lang.Object))  

### size

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public int size ()
```

Returns the number of elements in this set.

<br />

|                     Returns                      ||
|-------|-------------------------------------------|
| `int` | the number of elements in this set <br /> |

### spliterator

Added in[API level 24](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public Spliterator<E> spliterator ()
```

Returns a[Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)over the elements in this set in the order in which these elements were added.

The`Spliterator`reports[Spliterator.IMMUTABLE](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator#IMMUTABLE),[Spliterator.DISTINCT](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator#DISTINCT),[Spliterator.SIZED](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator#SIZED), and[Spliterator.SUBSIZED](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator#SUBSIZED).

The spliterator provides a snapshot of the state of the set when the spliterator was constructed. No synchronization is needed while operating on the spliterator.

<br />

|                                                                Returns                                                                ||
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| [Spliterator](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/Spliterator)`<E>` | a`Spliterator`over the elements in this set <br /> |

### toArray

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public T[] toArray (T[] a)
```

Returns an array containing all of the elements in this set; the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array. If the set fits in the specified array, it is returned therein. Otherwise, a new array is allocated with the runtime type of the specified array and the size of this set.

If this set fits in the specified array with room to spare (i.e., the array has more elements than this set), the element in the array immediately following the end of the set is set to`null`. (This is useful in determining the length of this set*only*if the caller knows that this set does not contain any null elements.)

If this set makes any guarantees as to what order its elements are returned by its iterator, this method must return the elements in the same order.

Like the[toArray()](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/util/concurrent/CopyOnWriteArraySet#toArray())method, this method acts as bridge between array-based and collection-based APIs. Further, this method allows precise control over the runtime type of the output array, and may, under certain circumstances, be used to save allocation costs.

Suppose`x`is a set known to contain only strings. The following code can be used to dump the set into a newly allocated array of`String`:  

     String[] y = x.toArray(new String[0]);

Note that`toArray(new Object[0])`is identical in function to`toArray()`.

<br />

<br />

|                                                                                      Parameters                                                                                      ||
|-----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `a` | `T`: the array into which the elements of this set are to be stored, if it is big enough; otherwise, a new array of the same runtime type is allocated for this purpose. <br /> |

|                            Returns                             ||
|-------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| `T[]` | an array containing all the elements in this set <br /> |

|                                                                                                     Throws                                                                                                     ||
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [ArrayStoreException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/ArrayStoreException)   | if the runtime type of the specified array is not a supertype of the runtime type of every element in this set |
| [NullPointerException](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/NullPointerException) | if the specified array is null                                                                                 |

### toArray

Added in[API level 1](https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/manifest/uses-sdk-element#ApiLevels)  

```
public Object[] toArray ()
```

Returns an array containing all of the elements in this set. If this set makes any guarantees as to what order its elements are returned by its iterator, this method must return the elements in the same order.

The returned array will be "safe" in that no references to it are maintained by this set. (In other words, this method must allocate a new array even if this set is backed by an array). The caller is thus free to modify the returned array.

This method acts as bridge between array-based and collection-based APIs.

<br />

|                                                            Returns                                                            ||
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| [Object[]](https://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/Object) | an array containing all the elements in this set <br /> |