Filter the elements of a map based on a subset of its keys without iterating through the entire thing

Question

I have a Map<String, ArrayList> and a Set<String>. Is there a way to "intersect" the keys of the map with the set of strings such that only the pairs with the given key remain, without iterating over the entire map? My main concern is performance and re-inventing the wheel on something that can be done more elegantly.

Answer 1

Just do:

map.keySet().retainAll(set); 

As per the javadoc, the changes in the key set are reflected back in the map.

... The set is backed by the map, so changes to the map are reflected in the set, and vice-versa. ...

Here's a demo:

Map<String, String> map = new HashMap<String, String>(); map.put("1", "one"); map.put("2", "two"); map.put("3", "three");  Set<String> set = new HashSet<String>(); set.add("1"); set.add("3");  map.keySet().retainAll(set);  System.out.println(map); // {3=three, 1=one}