class cast exception and generics (java)

Question

I am implementing my own priority queue and using a class called sportsball that uses it. The priority queue is based on generics and uses a Node (T object, int value) (aka Name of player and their score). I am getting a class cast exception error when I try to run the program.

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.ClassCastException: [Ljava.lang.Object; cannot be cast to [LPriorityQueue$Node;
    at PriorityQueue.<init>(PriorityQueue.java:35)
    at sportsball.main(sportsball.java:48)

The lines in question are: PriorityQueue.java:35:

Node[] array = (Node[])(new Object[initialSize]);

sportsball.java:48:

PriorityQueue<String> queue = new PriorityQueue<String>(start, step);

Thank you for your help!

Note:

When I tried having line PriorityQueue.java:35:

Node[] array = new Node[initialSize];

the error: generic array creation pops up instead.

Can you show your Node class? Is Node a type parameter by any chance? If yes, then this question will give you the answer — Rohit Jain
– Rohit Jain, Commented Feb 18, 2014 at 18:33
Consider showing enough code so that people can attempt to debug the issue. — DwB
– DwB, Commented Feb 18, 2014 at 18:38
Please give the exact error message with stack trace for the suggested line, it looks correct. — Carsten Hoffmann
– Carsten Hoffmann, Commented Feb 18, 2014 at 18:56
You have to create an array whose real element type matches the lower bound of your Node type parameter. Then you can cast it to Node[] but of course you have to care to keep that array internal to your queue implementation to avoid further heap pollution. — Holger
– Holger, Commented Feb 18, 2014 at 19:16

rgettman · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-18 18:23:58Z

2

You cannot cast an Object to a Node, so you shouldn't be able to cast an Object[] to a Node[]. Just create the Node[] directly.

Node[] array = new Node[initialSize];

answered Feb 18, 2014 at 18:23

rgettman

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2 Comments

user3324715 Over a year ago

Node[] array = new Node[initialSize]; causes this "generic array creation" error

rgettman Over a year ago

Your original error message led me to conclude that Node was a class, not a generic type parameter. In that case, try How to: generic array creation.

Chronio · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-18 18:30:28Z

0

You cannot simply cast an Object[] to a Node[]. This will indeed generate a ClassCastException. Just create a Node[] instead (Node[] array = new Node[initialSize];). Without more code than this, I cannot say anything else about it.

Note that the message of the ClassCastException is already indicating the problem. [Ljava.lang.Object; refers to Object[] and similarly, [LPriorityQueue$Node; refers to Node[].

answered Feb 18, 2014 at 18:30

Chronio

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Girish · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-18 18:31:52Z

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You cannot cast object to the Node as you did

Node[] array = (Node[])(new Object[initialSize]);

hence the exception ClassCastException: [Ljava.lang.Object; cannot be cast to [LPriorityQueue$Node which is clear that object cannot be castable to Node Type

So you can go with this option

Node[] array = new Node[initialSize];

edited Feb 18, 2014 at 18:31

answered Feb 18, 2014 at 18:25

Girish

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