A generic class hierarchy is when a generic class is extended by another class (which can be generic or non-generic). Java allows:
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A generic class to extend another generic class.
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A generic class to extend a non-generic class.
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A non-generic class to extend a generic class.
This promotes code reuse, type safety, and flexibility in inheritance.
Syntax of a Generic Class Hierarchy
class Parent<T> {
// generic parent class
}
class Child<T> extends Parent<T> {
// inherits generic type
}Code language: JavaScript (javascript)You can also define a child with different or additional type parameters:
class Child<T, U> extends Parent<T> {
// T comes from Parent, U is new
}Code language: JavaScript (javascript)Program-1:Simple Generic Inheritance
class Box<T> {
protected T item;
public void setItem(T item) {
this.item = item;
}
public T getItem() {
return item;
}
}
class ColorBox<T> extends Box<T> {
private String color;
public void setColor(String color) {
this.color = color;
}
public String getColor() {
return color;
}
}
public class Test {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ColorBox<String> cb = new ColorBox<>();
cb.setItem("LotusJavaPrince");
cb.setColor("Blue");
System.out.println(cb.getItem() + " and " + cb.getColor() + " box.");
}
}
/*
LotusJavaPrince in and box.
*/Program-2: Generic Subclass with Multiple Parameters
class Pair<K, V> {
K key;
V value;
public void set(K key, V value) {
this.key = key;
this.value = value;
}
public String getDetails() {
return "Key: " + key + ", Value: " + value;
}
}
class ExtendedPair<K, V, T> extends Pair<K, V> {
T extra;
public void setExtra(T extra) {
this.extra = extra;
}
public String getAllDetails() {
return getDetails() + ", Extra: " + extra;
}
}
public class TestHierarchy {
public static void main(String[] args) {
ExtendedPair<String, Integer, String> ep = new ExtendedPair<>();
ep.set("Mahesh", 101);
ep.setExtra("Manager");
System.out.println(ep.getAllDetails());
}
}
/*
Key: Mahesh, Value: 101, Extra: Manager
*/Example 3: Non-Generic Subclass Extending a Generic Class
class GenericEmployee<T> {
T id;
public void setId(T id) {
this.id = id;
}
public T getId() {
return id;
}
}
// Non-generic subclass fixes the type
class StringEmployee extends GenericEmployee<String> {
private String name;
public void setName(String name) {
this.name = name;
}
public void showInfo() {
System.out.println("Name: " + name + ", ID: " + getId());
}
}
public class EmployeeTest {
public static void main(String[] args) {
StringEmployee emp = new StringEmployee();
emp.setName("LotusJavaPrince");
emp.setId("EMP123");
emp.showInfo();
}
}
/*
Name: LotusJavaPrince, ID: EMP123
*/Program-4: Generic Class Extending a Non-Generic Class
class Department {
String deptName;
public Department(String name) {
this.deptName = name;
}
public String getDeptName() {
return deptName;
}
}
class Employee<T> extends Department {
private T empId;
public Employee(String dept, T empId) {
super(dept);
this.empId = empId;
}
public void show() {
System.out.println("Department: " + getDeptName() + ", ID: " + empId);
}
}
public class Demo {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Employee<Integer> emp = new Employee<>("Finance", 2025);
emp.show();
}
}
/*
Department: Finance, ID: 2025
*/Generic class hierarchies:
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Support flexible inheritance
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Promote code reuse with type safety
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Can involve same or new type parameters in child classes
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Allow non-generic subclasses to fix generic types