The java.util.Stack.search(Object element) method in Java is used to search for an element in the stack and get its distance from the top. This method starts the count of the position from 1 and not from 0. The element that is on the top of the stack is considered to be at position 1. If more than one element is present, the index of the element closest to the top is returned. The method returns its position if the element is successfully found and returns -1 if the element is absent.
Syntax:
STACK.search(element)
Parameters: The method accepts one parameter element which refers to the element that is required to be searched for in the Stack.
Return Value: The method returns the position of the element if it is successfully found in the stack (taking the count as base 1) else -1 is returned.
Below programs illustrate the working of java.util.Stack.search() method:
Program 1:
// Java code to demonstrate search() methodimport java.util.*;  public class Stack_Demo {    public static void main(String[] args)    {          // Creating an empty Stack        Stack<String> STACK = new Stack<String>();          // Stacking strings        STACK.push("Geeks");        STACK.push("4");        STACK.push("Geeks");        STACK.push("Welcomes");        STACK.push("You");          // Displaying the Stack        System.out.println("The stack is: " + STACK);          // Checking for the element "4"        System.out.println("Does the stack contains '4'? "                                     + STACK.search("4"));        // Checking for the element "Hello"        System.out.println("Does the stack contains 'Hello'? "                                     + STACK.search("Hello"));          // Checking for the element "Geeks"        System.out.println("Does the stack contains 'Geeks'? "                                     + STACK.search("Geeks"));    }} |
The stack is: [Geeks, 4, Geeks, Welcomes, You] Does the stack contains '4'? 4 Does the stack contains 'Hello'? -1 Does the stack contains 'Geeks'? 3
Program 2:
// Java code to demonstrate search() methodimport java.util.*;  public class Stack_Demo {    public static void main(String[] args)    {          // Creating an empty Stack        Stack<Integer> STACK = new Stack<Integer>();          // Stacking int values        STACK.push(8);        STACK.push(5);        STACK.push(9);        STACK.push(2);        STACK.push(4);          // Displaying the Stack        System.out.println("The stack is: " + STACK);          // Checking for the element 9        System.out.println("Does the stack contains '9'? "                                       + STACK.search(9));        // Checking for the element 10        System.out.println("Does the stack contains '10'? "                                       + STACK.search(10));          // Checking for the element 11        System.out.println("Does the stack contains '11'? "                                       + STACK.search(11));    }} |
The stack is: [8, 5, 9, 2, 4] Does the stack contains '9'? 3 Does the stack contains '10'? -1 Does the stack contains '11'? -1
