Using Generic Methods like Templates?

I have taking about a year in c++ and am trying to learn java right now. I'm really confused about generics because it looks like templates in c++ to me. Here is a snippet of my code that wont work.

public static <T> void monsterMain(T monster)
{
monster.getStats();
}

There are 4 different data types that can be passed to this method. The function in the derived class getStats() works fine, I have tested it other places. The error I get is:
'cannot find symbol'
'symbol: method getStats()'

Each derived class has a redefined function getStats() so the calling data type shouldn't be an issue. Any help would be mucho appreciated.

What happens if I pass a String to that method? String does not have a getStats method. Perhaps you should be using Inheritance instead of Generics. You say you have 4 different data types. Do they all extend from the same Parent class? If so make the parameter type to your method be the Parent class.

Also if they all implement getStats, you can have them all implement and interface and pass in a type of the interface(this is nearly identical to what junky said, except he referred to inheritance)

The four different data types are classes inherited from one parent class. If I make The data type the parent class wouldn't I be guilty of data slicing. Also the function getStats isn't part of the parent class. Would it data slice if I make the argument the parent classes data type?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slider57

The four different data types are classes inherited from one parent class. If I make The data type the parent class wouldn't I be guilty of data slicing.

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Data slicing doesn't exist in Java; it's a artifact in C++ inherited from C. Don't worry about it. b.t.w. you can make your generic type <T extends AbstractMonster> (or whatever) where the AbstractMonster class implements the getState() method.

kind regards,

Jos