How to run a program in java programming , how to add an element in an array,if the name exist,if wont be aded?

Can i ask, about the java programming on how to add a name in a string array.If the name already existed in the array it want be added and will say name found. thanks..How to run a program in java programming , how to add an element in an array,if the name exist,if wont be aded?
You'll have to write a function, contain(String[] a), to do this or else use a class that has a contains() method, like ArrayList.