<E> modifier

Definition

The <E> modifier is not actually a modifier but rather a placeholder indicating the use of generics in Java. It allows you to define a parameterized type for classes such as ArrayList<E>, specifying what kind of objects will be stored or processed.

Analogy

The <E> modifier acts like a label on your code's container to indicate what kind of items will go inside. It's similar to putting labels on boxes so you know what items should be placed inside them.

Related terms

Parameterized Type: A parameterized type allows you to customize or specify types when using generic classes or methods, providing flexibility and compile-time safety.

Type Inference: Type inference refers to the ability of the compiler to automatically determine the data types based on context without explicitly specifying them.

Type Erasure: Type erasure is a feature of Java generics that removes type parameters during compilation, ensuring compatibility with pre-generic code.