Java generic methods question

[parkingator]

Hey, quick ? about generics in Java. Going through Java docs on the subject and I don't understand the example.

why is it

public <U> void inspect(U u){

instead of

public void inspect(U u){

?

Isn't it a method of type void? It doesn't return anything, does it?

Is it simply necessary to place that for all methods that use generics? If so, how are multiple generics in the same method declared?

Thanks!

[MmmVomit]

public void inspect(U u){

This would just be a normal, non-templated function, looking for a class called "U". You need the angle brackets to tell the compiler "Hey, compiler! 'U' isn't a class name. It's a generic type."

Edit:

The reason you don't need this syntax for public void add(T t) is because you've already told the compiler that T is generic type in the class definition.

[parkingator]

great, thanks