[FIXED] Why java allows "var" to declare generic variable without specifying type, leading to runtime issue?

Issue

Hi: this code get compiled:

    public static void main( String[] args ) {
        var list = new ArrayList<>();
        list.add("hello world");
        list.add(1);
        list.add(1.01);
        System.out.println(list);
        System.out.println( "Hello World!" );
    }

But with runtime issue. The list local variable is of ArrayList but not any ArrayList<xxx> generic type. Why java let this kind of code pass compilation?

If I change the 1st line into:

ArrayList list = new ArrayList<>();

Then javac reports a warning of unchecked/unsafe operation, suggest to use -Xlint:unchecked and re-compile. Why var doesn't trigger any compilation error/warning here?

Thanks!

Solution

Usage of var and the diamond operator together is legal in Java. There is no compiler rule that there must be a type to be inferred explicitly.

This runs without a compiler or runtime error, which you'd see by trying to run it yourself. Even if you add a Thread to the list, then we can infer that Java infers Object for the generic type of the ArrayList. There are no common classes or common interfaces inferred, because Java won't consider subsequent statements.

You can also try to assign the returned value of a call to get to say an Integer, but the compiler will complain that it can't be converted to the type of your variable, unless you declare the variable to be Object or var.

Integer one = list.get(1); // Error, can't convert Object to Integer
Object o1 = list.get(1);   // Compiles
var v1 = list.get(1);      // Compiles, inferred type: Object

Answered By - rgettman
Answer Checked By - Candace Johnson (JavaFixing Volunteer)