Inferring java generics parameters at runtime using reflection

Question

I have a method with the following signature:

// Converts a json string to a list of objects
// Assumption: json is an array, and all items in the list are o         


        

Answer 1

The only way I know of to guarantee to have access to the type at run time is to make it a parameter to the object constructor thus:

class MyClass {
    private final Class clazz;
    public MyClass(Class clazz) {
        this.clazz=clazz;
    }
}

You then have to pass the class when you instantiate the object:

MyClass object = new MyClass(String.class);

Obviously, in your case, you have what is effectively a static utility method and no object, so I think you're stuck with either the Class parameter or else some kind of template object.