What is NavigableMap in Java?

A NavigableMap in Java is part of the Java Collections Framework and extends the Map interface. It provides additional methods to navigate the map in a way that allows for sorted key-value pairs, enabling actions such as finding the closest matches for keys and retrieving subsets of the map. This interface is particularly useful when implementing trees or when needing to manage key order.
NavigableMap, Java Collections Framework, Map Interface, Sorted Map, TreeMap, Key Navigation
// Example of using NavigableMap in Java import java.util.NavigableMap; import java.util.TreeMap; public class NavigableMapExample { public static void main(String[] args) { NavigableMap navigableMap = new TreeMap<>(); // Adding key-value pairs navigableMap.put(1, "One"); navigableMap.put(2, "Two"); navigableMap.put(3, "Three"); // Getting the highest key less than or equal to the given key System.out.println("Floor Key (2): " + navigableMap.floorKey(2)); // Output: 2 // Getting the lowest key greater than or equal to the given key System.out.println("Ceiling Key (2): " + navigableMap.ceilingKey(2)); // Output: 2 // Navigating to a subMap NavigableMap subMap = navigableMap.subMap(1, true, 2, true); System.out.println("SubMap: " + subMap); // Output: {1=One, 2=Two} } }

NavigableMap Java Collections Framework Map Interface Sorted Map TreeMap Key Navigation