Java - Generics Raw Type

Introduction

Generic types in Java is backward compatible.

The non-generic version of a generic type is called a raw type.

If you use raw types, the compiler will generate unchecked warnings:

Wrapper rawType = new Wrapper("Hello"); // An unchecked warning
Wrapper<String> genericType = new Wrapper<String>("Hello");
genericType = rawType; // An unchecked warning
rawType = genericType;

Demo

public class Main {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    Wrapper rawType = new Wrapper("Hello"); // An unchecked warning
    Wrapper<String> genericType = new Wrapper<String>("Hello");
    genericType = rawType; // An unchecked warning
    rawType = genericType;/*from w  w  w .  j a v  a 2s . c o m*/

  }

}

class Wrapper<T> {
  private T ref;

  public Wrapper(T ref) {
    this.ref = ref;
  }

  public T get() {
    return ref;
  }

  public void set(T a) {
    this.ref = a;
  }
}

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