How to create array of generic type?

Question

How to create array of generic type? How does generic Arrays.copyOf() method work? It returns a copy of generic array. So it is possible to create generic arrays. B

Answer 1

I am confused about what you're asking, but I'll try my best to answer.

If you want to create an array of generic type, the class containing the array will have to be parametrized with a generic. For example, this works:

class MyClass<T> {

      T[] myGenericArray;

}

In most cases, I bet what you are doing can be achieved by an Object[] or something of that nature, although if you make your question more specific I may be able to offer more help.

Answer 2

If you need to create it at runtime you need at least know the type at that very moment, so you could use the following approach:

a = (T[]) Array.newInstance(c,s);

where T is the generic type, c is the class of T and s is the initial size.

Documentation here