Using Generic Methods like Templates?

[slider57]

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.

[Junky]

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.

[sunde887]

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)

[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. 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?

[JosAH]

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.

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