What is the reason for BitSet's size() method?

Question

Is there a use case for the size() method on the java.util.BitSet class?

I mean - the JavaDoc clearly says it\'s implementation dependant, it returns the size of the int

Answer 1

One of the main reason i think it may be useful is when we need to extend the BitSet class and override the length method. In that case, the size is useful. below is how length returns value with dependancy on size method.

protected Set bitset;
public int length() {
  int returnValue = 0;
  // Make sure set not empty
  // Get maximum value +1
  if (bitset.size() > 0) {
     Integer max = (Integer)Collections.max(bitset);
     returnValue = max.intValue()+1;
  }
  return returnValue;
 }