What is the equivalent of the C++ Pair<L,R> in Java?
java, std-pair, tuples
Solution
In a thread on `comp.lang.java.help`, Hunter Gratzner gives some arguments against the presence of a `Pair` construct in Java. The main argument is that a class `Pair` doesn't convey any semantics about the relationship between the two values (how do you know what "first" and "second" mean ?).
A better practice is to write a very simple class, like the one Mike proposed, for each application you would have made of the `Pair` class. `Map.Entry` is an example of a pair that carry its meaning in its name.
To sum up, in my opinion it is better to have a class `Position(x,y)`, a class `Range(begin,end)` and a class `Entry(key,value)` rather than a generic `Pair(first,second)` that doesn't tell me anything about what it's supposed to do.
Problem
Is there a good reason why there is no `Pair<L,R>` in Java? What would be the equivalent of this C++ construct? I would rather avoid reimplementing my own. It seems that 1.6 is providing something similar (`AbstractMap.SimpleEntry<K,V>`), but this looks quite convoluted.