In a programming language, there are different codes included in it. These codes have to be written in order without error by the developer to get the desired results. Coding is an essential part of programming language. Whether it is for a data scientist, machine learning engineer, software developer, or web application developer coding plays a key role. Programmers who work on application development, data science, machine learning, etc must have deep knowledge of coding. Coding drives a project to its completion. Each programming language has a unique coding system. But some tools provide codes that can be used in multiple languages. Java programming language itself is a multiple platform programming language. The codes written in Java can be used for different platforms. Like Android, Windows, iOS, etc.
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The codes are mostly written for a purpose. When the data types differ the codes will also differ. It is very difficult for developers to deal with so many codes for different data types. In this instance, the help of Generics comes in Java. Generics in Java is a mechanism that allows developers to write codes for one type that is applicable or compatible with all types of data. It helps in reducing time for writing separate classes for a special type of data. For example, if you want to add an integer x to class A, it can be written as class A{Integer x}. Like this, a string x can be added to the same class by adding class A{String x}. Like this, anything can be added in class A without writing separate codes.
Advantages of Generics in Java
The main advantage of generics is that it makes the codes stable by detecting the errors at the time of compiling. It helps the java programmers to store specific data types. There are three main advantages of Generics in Java. They are:
- Type Safety
- Type Casting is not required
- Compile-time checking
In generics, we can hold only a single type of object. Also, there is no need for typecasting. Without generics typecasting is needed. In generics, it will be tested at the time of compiling. The main advantage is that the errors are found at the time of compiling and there is no need to wait until the program runs to find out the errors. So generics in java are a great advantage to developers.
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Type of Java Generics
Java generics mainly aims to complete the projects easily and error-free. It helps in finding out errors at the time of compilation. It also helps in holding a single type of object. There are two types of Java Generics. They are:
- Generic Methods
In generic methods, it takes a parameter and returns the value after performing the task. A generic method has parameters that are specified by the actual time. This is like a normal function. This helps the developers to use the Generic method in a normal and simple way. This prevents the programmers to type long individual type-casting.
- Generic Classes
Generic classes are executed almost the same as the non-generic classes. The difference lies in the type of parameters. In generic classes, there will be more than one type of parameter which is separated by a comma. There are parameterized classes which can be explained as classes that accept one or more parameters.
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Type Parameter in Generics
In argument types, the type parameters are used for holding the place. It can be a class, an array, an interface, or maybe another type of parameter. The parameters name is usually a single letter in UPPERCASE. Java has 5 types of parameters. They are:
- T – Type
- E – Elements
- K – Key
- N – Number
- V – Value
Thes type parameters in generics cannot be static.
Conclusion
Generics in Java is an essential feature that helps developers to complete their projects with less time and without errors. There is no need for individual long typecasting. Writing codes is made easy by generics in Java.
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