Java: How do I create a list of a class from String

Question

I want to create a list typed to the name of a class from a string. For example,

String nameOfClass = "com.my.list.class";
List list = new ArrayList<nameOfclass>();

I only know the type of class to be inserted into List in runtime in text format.

Is this possible?

You have to create instance of nameOfClass by reflection Class.forName() and then create a list for that class. — prasanth
– prasanth, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 4:36
@LCYSoft - i think you need to use class name at runtime and want to product object. am i right? — Fathah Rehman P
– Fathah Rehman P, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 4:59
Why not just have a variable called name in the class and set it? — Chris Chambers
– Chris Chambers, Commented Apr 23, 2013 at 5:05

Thilo · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-23 04:36:10Z

9

No.

Generic type annotations only happen at compile-time, they are erased from the runtime. When the program executes, the ArrayList does not know about its generic type.

So as a result, the type annotation is only useful for the compiler. If you don't know the type at compile time (program design time), then you cannot use them.

answered Apr 23, 2013 at 4:36

Thilo

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Thilo Over a year ago

If you give a bit more context for why you need this, we may come up with an alternative to that end.

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