Difference between revisions of "Generics"

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int i = l.get(0); //Compile-time error. Autounboxing cant work because get() returns Object and not Integer.
 
int i = l.get(0); //Compile-time error. Autounboxing cant work because get() returns Object and not Integer.
 
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<u>Polymorphism and Generics</u>
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[[Category:OCPJP]]
 
[[Category:OCPJP]]

Revision as of 04:48, 25 May 2011

  • Generics is a way to enforce ONLY compile-time type safety.
  • All the type information is not present at run-time. The compiler strips out type information from the bytecode using a process called type erasure.
  • WHY Type erasure ? To ensure backward compatibility with legacy code.
  • This compile-time safety is broken when generic and non-generic legacy code are mixed up.
  • Watch out when autoboxing is involved with legacy code.
List l = new ArrayList();
l.add(123); //Auto-boxing happens.
int i = l.get(0); //Compile-time error. Autounboxing cant work because get() returns Object and not Integer.


Polymorphism and Generics