Advanced Features in Java: Using Generic Type Parameters

Skillsoft issued completion badges are earned based on viewing the percentage required or receiving a passing score when assessment is required. In this course, you'll learn how type parameters can be used to combine type safety and code re-use. You'll see how type parameters can be specified for either for classes or for individual methods of classes. You'll learn that while instantiating objects of those classes, or while invoking those methods, you can pencil in type arguments in place of those type parameters. You'll cover defining type parameters, using classes and methods with type parameters, as well as conventions and rules that apply to such parameters. You'll then explore the raw type that lies beneath any class or method with a type parameter. Java creates just one single copy of such code, and pencils in a type parameter of java.lang.Object. Java also adds various type checks to ensure that the code is used correctly - this is known as type erasure, and forms the basis of the great performance of Java generics. Finally, you'll move on to the use of constraints on type parameters and see how these are achieved using Bounded Type Parameters. Using bounds, it is possible to exercise fine-grained control over the ensure that the type argument - for instance to specify that it must be a numeric type.