Java: How to declare a List using a Class object as parameter?

Question

I'm looking to invoke by reflection a method that returns List<X>. However, I do not have the class definition for X, so I can only get the type by reflection. What's the proper syntax for declaring List<X>, where X is a Class object?

Actually, it’s List<?> rather than List<Object> as otherwise you could add anything into the List. It depends on the context whether this is an issue. If the method returns a reference to a shared List it is an issue. — Holger
– Holger, Commented May 5, 2014 at 15:04

Anubian Noob · Accepted Answer · 2014-05-05 14:55:13Z

1

Just use List<Object>, this will work for any object.

answered May 5, 2014 at 14:55

Anubian Noob

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m0skit0 Over a year ago

@lairtech Just keep in mind that you will be unable to know easily from which class each instance in the list is. This can get very annoying later on. I suggest you rethink your approach, maybe use a base interface or class for the objects held in the List instead of Object.

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