How do generics work in programming?

Can you explain how generics work in programming?

Sure! Generics allow you to write flexible and reusable code by defining classes, interfaces, or methods with a placeholder for the data type.

Why are generics useful?

Generics provide type safety, reduce code duplication, and improve code readability by allowing you to work with different data types without sacrificing performance.

Can you give me an example of generics in Java?

Absolutely! In Java, you can define a generic class like this: class Box<T> { private T item; public void setItem(T item) { this.item = item; } public T getItem() { return item; } }.

What happens if I don't use generics?

Without generics, you might encounter runtime errors due to type mismatches, and your code could become less readable and harder to maintain.