Thread: Do not understand this API

Why do addAll and removeAll methods contain different signature as highlighted below. Same thing with add and remove.

boolean addAll(Collection<? extends E> c)

boolean removeAll(Collection<?> c)

boolean add(E e)

boolean remove(Object o)

When we cant add other than the elements of type E or those which extends E, then why should we have removeAll/remove generified?

EX:

List<Number> numbers = new ArrayList<Number>();
numbers.add(123);
numbers.add("hello");

numbers.remove("hello");

in the code above why line3 will give you the compiler error but not line 4. Please explain.

I would say the design gives the programmer maximum flexibility while enforcing Java's rather strict typing requirements.

As for your code example and final question: Obviously, "hello" is not a Number so cannot be added to the List of Numbers which is limited to containing object of type Number. The remove() method preserves the ability to remove any object from the List, regardless the type. That seems like a good thing.

Edit: But if this question is to answer a test question, you'd better read the book to find the real answer. I''m guessing.

Hello.
If you are able to do then you can have a look at the source code of the add() and remove() methods to see the logic they have used.
The source code shall be available as a zip file in your jdk folder.

Syed.