What are generics and how do they differ across programming languages?

What are generics and how do they differ across programming languages?

Generics are a feature that allows you to write flexible and reusable code. They enable you to define classes, interfaces, and methods with a placeholder for the type of data they operate on. Different languages implement generics in unique ways.

Can you give me examples of how generics are used in Java and C#?

In Java, you can define a generic class like this: class Box<T> { private T item; }. In C#, it looks similar: class Box<T> { private T item; }. Both allow you to create a box that can hold any type.

What about generics in TypeScript?

TypeScript also supports generics, allowing you to define functions and classes with type parameters. For example: function identity<T>(arg: T): T { return arg; }.

Are there any languages that don't support generics?

Yes, some languages like JavaScript and Python do not have built-in support for generics, but you can achieve similar functionality using other techniques.