Java Generic Classes Arrays

Question

I was reading this answer, and now got confused about the normal array declaration and this piece of code used to create arrays for generic classes:

Gen<?> gens[] = new Gen<?>[10];

What does this do exactly, and how it is different from the normal array declaration?

Take a look at this great Q&A simple and short tutorial: http://www.angelikalanger.com/GenericsFAQ/FAQSections/ParameterizedTypes.html — acdcjunior, May 19 '13 at 09:42

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited May 19 '13 at 09:53

4

I'm only a beginner so I might be wrong, but this is my take on the declaration you've written:

Gen is a generic class, like a template. The question mark signifies a wildcard. Therefore, you have initialized an array of 10 Gen templates that may be configured with any type of object.

edited May 19 '13 at 09:53

user207421

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answered May 19 '13 at 09:39

Cristina_eGold

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score 2 · Answer 2 · answered May 19 '13 at 09:38

2

it is an array with 10 places that holds a generic class of type Gen that is a generic class of any object

answered May 19 '13 at 09:38

Dima

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Java Generic Classes Arrays

2 Answers2