What are the differences between generics and dynamic typing?

What are the differences between generics and dynamic typing?

Generics allow you to define classes or methods with a placeholder for the data type, providing type safety at compile time. Dynamic typing, on the other hand, determines the type at runtime, which can lead to more flexibility but less safety.

Can you give me an example of generics in action?

Sure! In Java, you might have a generic class like Box<T> that can hold any type of object. You can create a Box<Integer> or a Box<String> without losing type safety.

What are the advantages of using generics?

Generics provide type safety, reduce code duplication, and improve code readability. They also help catch errors at compile time rather than at runtime.

Are there any downsides to using dynamic typing?

Yes, dynamic typing can lead to runtime errors that are harder to debug, and it may result in less optimized performance compared to statically typed languages.