How to initialize a static array?

Question

I have seen different approaches to define a static array in Java. Either:

String[] suit = new String[] {   "spades",    "hearts",    "diamonds",    "clubs"   }; 

...or only

String[] suit = {   "spades",    "hearts",    "diamonds",    "clubs"   }; 

or as a List

List suit = Arrays.asList(   "spades",    "hearts",    "diamonds",    "clubs"   ); 

Is there a difference (except for the List definition of course)?

What is the better way (performance wise)?

Answer 1

If you are creating an array then there is no difference, however, the following is neater:

String[] suit = {   "spades",    "hearts",    "diamonds",    "clubs"   }; 

But, if you want to pass an array into a method you have to call it like this:

myMethod(new String[] {"spades", "hearts"});  myMethod({"spades", "hearts"}); //won't compile!