Thread: Not Generic; cannot be parameterized

Hi all,

I was provided a .class called Node.class with no .java file.

So now I have another java file called Person that has to make use of this Node. But I get an error which says "The type Node is not generic; it cannot be parameterized with arguments <Person>"

The java file provided to me had an import line of javax.xml.soap.Node; but im thinking i'm not supposed to be importing this node class, but instead the one i was provided? However, I've already placed it in the same package in say, netbeans but still get an error.

E.g. Node<Person> per1 = null; //this line gives the error

Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks!

I'm not really sure how to explain this.

My guess is that the Node Class provided doesnt allow you to specify the type, which is what you are doing by using the <Person> identifier. Do you have any API or a list of methods and constructors for the Node Class? Without that, there isnt much help can be provided.

I'll give you an example for what I mean by "type" (since that probably isnt the correct word):

When you say

ArrayList<Person> arr = new ArrayList<Person>();

You are identifying every object in the ArrayList as a Person Object. You are allowed to do this for ArrayLists because the ArrayList Class is an ArrayList<?> Class. That <?> allows you to specify objects within a collection as "Generics".

You cant do the same for something like the JButton class or something.

JButton<Person> button = new JButton<Person>();

This will not compile because JButton doesnt allow you to attach an identifier.

Appears the Node cannot be parametized...eg it does not use generics. Remove the generic <Person>. If the class you have uses generics, make sure your import points to the correct Node class file, you can be quite explicit if you have multiple class names:

mypackage.Node<Person> person = null;

As far as I know, the node class is a polymorphic ADT and it was specified that Node<Person> be used in place of Node as a type.