Week 05: Generics

• Generics

  After this unit, students should

  • know how to define and instantiate a generic type and a generic method.
  • be familiar with the term parameterized types, type arguments, type parameters.
  • appreciate how generics can reduce duplication of code and improve type safety.

• Type Erasure

  After this unit, students should

  • understand that generics are implemented with type erasure in Java.
  • understand that type information is not fully available during run-time when generics are used, and problems that this could cause.
  • be aware that arrays and generics don't mix well in Java.
  • know the terms reifiable type and heap pollution.

• Unchecked Warnings

  After this unit, students should

  • be aware of how to use generics with an array.
  • be aware of unchecked warnings that compilers can give when we are using generics.
  • be able to make arguments as to why a piece of code is type-safe for simple cases.
  • know how to suppress warnings from compilers.
  • be aware of the ethics when using the @SuppressWarnings("unchecked") annotation.
  • know what is a raw type.
  • be aware that raw types should never never be used in modern Java.