What are generics in classes and how do they work?

What are generics in classes and how do they work?

Generics in classes allow you to create classes that can operate on different data types without losing type safety. For example, you can define a generic class Box<T> that can hold any type of object.

Can you give me an example of a generic class?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

class Box<T> {
    private T item;

    public void setItem(T item) {
        this.item = item;
    }

    public T getItem() {
        return item;
    }
}

In this example, T is a placeholder for the type that will be specified when creating an instance of Box.

How do I use this Box class?

You can use the Box class like this:

Box<String> stringBox = new Box<>();
stringBox.setItem("Hello, Generics!");
String item = stringBox.getItem();

What are the benefits of using generics?

Generics provide type safety, reduce code duplication, and improve code readability. They allow you to write more flexible and reusable code.