What is the Best Way to Store some data in Java? (Array vs ArrayList) -

so currently, extracting 2 different attributes xml file in java (for project) related each other , printing them out console. however, want able store these in way in referencing 1 value retrieve it's corresponding counterpart. example:

id: rid11 & target: image3 id: rid10 & target: image2 id: rid9 & target: image1 

with 3 values, i'd want way store each line, when reference "rid" it's corresponding "target" value. thinking using either array or arraylist, i'm not sure better purposes or how go referencing 1 value , getting other. offer me advice? thank in advance.

if keys unique, use map.

map<string, string> mak = new hashmap<string, string>(); map.put("rid11","image3"); map.put("rid10","image2"); map.put("rid9","image1"); 

reference:

• java tutorial > map interface

otherwise, create custom object holds key , value , create list (or set???) of these.

public class entry {     private final string id;     private final string value;     public entry(string id, string value) {         this.id = id; this.value = value;     }     public string getid() { return id; }     public string getvalue() { return value; }     // implement equals() , hashcode(), please }  list<entry> entries = new arraylist<entry>(); entries.add(new entry("rid11","image3")); 

reference:

• java tutorial > list interface
• java tutorial > set interface