How to Find the Maximum and Minimum Value in a Primitive Array in Java

How can I find the maximum and minimum values in an array of primitive types in Java?

private static int maxValue(char[] chars) {
    int max = chars[0];
    for (int ktr = 0; ktr < chars.length; ktr++) {
        if (chars[ktr] > max) {
            max = chars[ktr];
        }
    }
    return max;
}

Finding the maximum and minimum values within an array of primitives in Java can be achieved using iterative approaches or utilizing built-in methods from Java's Collections framework. This guide walks you through both methods, providing robust solutions and code snippets for practical implementation.

import java.util.Arrays;

public class MaxMinFinder {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        char[] chars = {'a', 'b', 'z', 'm'};
        System.out.println("Max: " + maxValue(chars));
        System.out.println("Min: " + minValue(chars));
    }

    private static char maxValue(char[] chars) {
        return Arrays.stream(chars).max().orElse('
');
    }

    private static char minValue(char[] chars) {
        return Arrays.stream(chars).min().orElse('
');
    }
}

Causes

• A need for locating the extreme values in datasets, such as max/min grades, temperatures, etc.
• Improving algorithm efficiency by utilizing Java's built-in methodologies.

Solutions

• Implementing a loop structure to traverse through the array and compare values manually to find the max/min.
• Utilizing Java's Arrays class for concise code by using methods like `Arrays.stream(array).max()` and `Arrays.stream(array).min()`.

Mistake: Not initializing the max/min variable correctly, leading to incorrect value returns.

Solution: Always initialize your max/min variable as the first element of the array to ensure it is valid.

Mistake: Using a non-primitive type array which does not comply with primitive data type operations.

Solution: Ensure that the array you are passing consists of primitive types for accurate calculations.