How can you properly create a Java generic array while maintaining type safety?

General Discussions
4

Since arrays and generics don’t mix well, why not use a List instead?"

import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;

class GenSet<E> {  
    private List<E> list;  

    public GenSet() {  
        list = new ArrayList<>();  
    }  

    public void add(E element) {  
        list.add(element);  
    }  

    public E get(int index) {  
        return list.get(index);  
    }  
}

:white_check_mark: Why This Works:

ArrayList is inherently generic and avoids type erasure issues with arrays.

Type safety is guaranteed without unchecked casts.

:x: Downside:

Slightly slower than using arrays due to dynamic resizing and additional abstraction.

Usage Example:

GenSet<Double> doubleSet = new GenSet<>();
doubleSet.add(3.14);
Double pi = doubleSet.get(0);Since arrays and generics don’t mix well, why not use a List<E> instead?
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;

class GenSet<E> {  
    private List<E> list;  

    public GenSet() {  
        list = new ArrayList<>();  
    }  

    public void add(E element) {  
        list.add(element);  
    }  

    public E get(int index) {  
        return list.get(index);  
    }  
}

:white_check_mark: Why This Works:

ArrayList is inherently generic and avoids type erasure issues with arrays.

Type safety is guaranteed without unchecked casts.

:x: Downside:

Slightly slower than using arrays due to dynamic resizing and additional abstraction.

Usage Example:
GenSet<Double> doubleSet = new GenSet<>();
doubleSet.add(3.14);
Double pi = doubleSet.get(0);