How can I check if an element exists in a Set of items?

Question

In an if statement in Java how can I check whether an object exists in a set of items. E.g. In this scenario i need to validate that the fruit will be an apple, ora

Answer 1

static final List fruits = Arrays.asList("APPLE", "ORANGES", "GRAPES");

if (fruits.contains(fruitname))

If your list was much larger, a set would be more efficient.

static final Set fruits = new HashSet(
       Arrays.asList("APPLE", "ORANGES", "GRAPES", /*many more*/));