What steps are taken to add a new element to the ArrayList structure?

When adding a new element to an ArrayList, the following steps are performed:

1. It checks whether the current internal array (usually Object[]) has enough space to store the new element.
2. If there is not enough space, a new array with an increased size (usually 50% larger or 1.5 times bigger) is created, and all elements are copied into it.
3. The new element is placed in the first free position of the internal array.
4. The list size counter (size) is incremented.

Here's an example of how an element is added:

public boolean add(E e) {
    ensureCapacityInternal(size + 1);  // check and expand array
    elementData[size++] = e;            // add element and increase size
    return true;
}

private void ensureCapacityInternal(int minCapacity) {
    if (minCapacity - elementData.length > 0)
        grow(minCapacity);
}

private void grow(int minCapacity) {
    int oldCapacity = elementData.length;
    int newCapacity = oldCapacity + (oldCapacity >> 1); // increase by 50%
    if (newCapacity - minCapacity < 0)
        newCapacity = minCapacity;
    elementData = Arrays.copyOf(elementData, newCapacity);
}