UNIT IV MULTITHREADING AND GENERIC PROGRAMMING 1

UNIT IV MULTITHREADING AND GENERIC PROGRAMMING

Differences between multi-threading and multitasking, thread life cycle, creating threads,
synchronizing threads, Inter-thread communication, daemon threads, thread groups.
Generic Programming Generic classes generic methods Bounded Types Restrictions
and Limitations.

Question: 1 a) What is a thread? Explain multithreading and multitasking in detail.(8)

Or
1 b) Define thread. Write about multithreading and multitasking in detail.(8)

Answer:
A thread is a single sequential flow of control within a program. Sometimes it is called an
execution context or light weight process.
Multithreading
Multithreading in java is a process of executing multiple threads simultaneously.
Thread is basically a lightweight sub-process, a smallest unit of processing.
Multiprocessing and multithreading, both are used to achieve multitasking.
But we use multithreading than multiprocessing because threads share a common
memory area. They don't allocate separate memory area so saves memory, and context-
switching between the threads takes less time than process.
Java Multithreading is mostly used in games, animation etc.
Advantages of Java Multithreading
It doesn't block the user because threads are independent and you can perform multiple
operations at same time.
You can perform many operations together so it saves time.
Threads are independent so it doesn't affect other threads if exception occur in a single
thread.
Multitasking
Multitasking is a process of executing multiple tasks simultaneously. We use
multitasking to utilize the CPU. Multitasking can be achieved by two ways:
Process-based Multitasking(Multiprocessing)
Thread-based Multitasking(Multithreading)

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1) Process-based Multitasking (Multiprocessing)

Each process have its own address in memory i.e. each process allocates separate
memory area.
Process is heavyweight.
Cost of communication between the process is high.
Switching from one process to another require some time for saving and loading
registers, memory maps, updating lists etc.
2) Thread-based Multitasking (Multithreading)
Threads share the same address space.
Thread is lightweight.
Cost of communication between the thread is low

Question: 2 a) What are the difference between multithreading and multitasking.(4)

Or
2 b) Differentiate multithreading and multitasking in detail.(4)

Answer:

BASIS FOR
MULTITASKING MULTITHREADING
COMPARISON

Basic Multithreading is to execute Multitasking is to run multiple processes

multiple threads in a process on a computer
concurrently. concurrently

Switching In Multithreading, the CPU In Multitasking, the CPU switches

switches between multiple between multiple processes to complete
threads in the same process. the execution.

Memory and In multitasking system has to In multithreading system has to allocate

Resource allocate separate memory and memory to a process, multiple threads of
resources to each program that process shares the same memory and
that CPU is executing. resources allocated to the process.

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Complexity Multithreading is light-weight Multitasking is heavy-weight and harder

and easy to create to create

Question: 3 a) Explain in detail about different states of a thread.(13)

Or
3 b) Label the different states of a thread and explain it. (13)
Or
3 c) What is a thread? Describe the complete lifecycle of thread.(13)

Answer:
A thread is a single sequential (separate) flow of control within program. Sometimes, it is
called an execution context or light weight process.
A thread can be in one of the five states. According to sun, there is only 4 states in thread
life cycle in java new, runnable, non-runnable and terminated. There is no running state.
The life cycle of the thread in java is controlled by JVM. The java thread states are as follows:
1. New
2. Runnable
3. Running
4. Non-Runnable (Blocked)
5. Terminated

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Follow
New A new thread begins its life cycle in the new state. It remains in this state until the
program starts the thread. It is also referred to as a born thread.
Runnable After a newly born thread is started, the thread becomes runnable. A thread
in this state is considered to be executing its task.
Waiting Sometimes, a thread transitions to the waiting state while the thread waits for
another thread to perform a task. A thread transitions back to the runnable state only
when another thread signals the waiting thread to continue executing.
Timed Waiting A runnable thread can enter the timed waiting state for a specified
interval of time. A thread in this state transitions back to the runnable state when that
time interval expires or when the event it is waiting for occurs.
Terminated (Dead) A runnable thread enters the terminated state when it completes its
task or otherwise terminates.

Question: 4 a) List the two ways of implementing threads with an example program. (13)
Or
4 b) What are the two ways to implement thread?(13)
Or
4 c) How threads are created in java.(13)

Answer:
Creating a thread
Java defines two ways by which a thread can be created.
By implementing the Runnable interface.
By extending the Thread class.
Implementing the Runnable Interface
The easiest way to create a thread is to create a class that implements the runnable
interface. After implementing runnable interface, the class needs to implement the run() method,
which is of form,
public void run()
run() method introduces a concurrent thread into your program. This thread will end
when run() method terminates.
specify the code that your thread will execute inside run() method.

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run() method can call other methods, can use other classes and declare variables just like
any other normal method.
class MyThread implements Runnable
{
public void run()
{
System.out.println("concurrent thread started running..");
}
}
class MyThreadDemo
{
public static void main( String args[] )
{
MyThread mt = new MyThread();
Thread t = new Thread(mt);
t.start();
}
}
Output
Concurrent thread started running..
To call the run() method, start() method is used. On calling start(), a new stack is provided to the
thread and run() method is called to introduce the new thread into the program.
If you are implementing Runnable interface in your class, then you need to explicitly
create a Thread class object and need to pass the Runnable interface implemented class object as
a parameter in its constructor.
Extending Thread class
This is another way to create a thread by a new class that extends Thread class and create
an instance of that class. The extending class must override run() method which is the entry point
of new thread.
class MyThread extends Thread
{

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public void run()

{
System.out.println("concurrent thread started running..");
}
}
classMyThreadDemo
{
public static void main( String args[] )
{
MyThread mt = new MyThread();
mt.start();
}
}
Output
Concurrent thread started running..
In this case also, we must override the run() and then use the start() method to run the
thread. Also, when you create MyThread class object, Thread class constructor will also be
invoked, as it is the super class, hence MyThread class object acts as Thread class object.

Question: 5 a) Describe the creation of a multiple thread with an example.(6)

Or
5 b) Explain multiple thread with an example.(6)

Answer:
Many threads can be created. Multiple threads can be created by extending thread class
and by implementing the Runnable interface.
Example(Print even and odd numbers using Threads)
class Even extends Thread //Thread1-even
{
public void run()
{
for(int i=0;i<=10;i+=2)

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}
}
}
class Odd extends Thread //Thread2-odd
{
public void run()
{
for(int i=0;i<=10;i+=2)
{
Odd
}
}
}
class EvenOdd
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Even e=new Even();
Odd o=new Odd();
e.start();
o.start();
}
}
Output:
Even number=0
Odd number=1
Even number=2
Odd number=3
Even number=4

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Odd number=5
Even number=6
Odd number=7
Even number=8
Odd number=9
Even number=10
Explanation Steps:
During program execution, at first even thread starts its execution
Along with that, odd thread also executes
Both threads will get executed alternatively and finally terminated

Question: 6 a) Discuss about thread priority.(6)

Or
6 b) Explain thread priority with an example.(6)

Answer:
Priority of a Thread (Thread Priority):
Each thread have a priority. Priorities are represented by a number between 1 and 10. In
most cases, thread schedular schedules the threads according to their priority (known as
preemptive scheduling). But it is not guaranteed because it depends on JVM specification that
which scheduling it chooses.
3 constants defined in Thread class:
1. public static int MIN_PRIORITY
2. public static int NORM_PRIORITY
3. public static int MAX_PRIORITY

Default priority of a thread is 5 (NORM_PRIORITY). The value of MIN_PRIORITY is 1 and

the value of MAX_PRIORITY is 10.
Example of priority of a Thread:
class TestMultiPriority1 extends Thread
{
public void run()
{

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System.out.println("running thread name is:"+Thread.currentThread().getName());

System.out.println("running thread priority is:"+Thread.currentThread().getPriority());
}
public static void main(String args[])
{
TestMultiPriority1 m1=new TestMultiPriority1();
TestMultiPriority1 m2=new TestMultiPriority1();
m1.setPriority(Thread.MIN_PRIORITY);
m2.setPriority(Thread.MAX_PRIORITY);
m1.start();
m2.start();
}
}
Output:
running thread name is:Thread-0
running thread priority is:10
running thread name is:Thread-1
running thread priority is:1
Question: 7 a) What is Synchronization? Explain the different types of synchronization in
java(13)
Or
7 b) Summarize briefly about thread synchronization with an example. (13)
Or
7 c) Explain in detail about thread synchronization in java.(13)

Answer:
Synchronization in java is the capability to control the access of multiple threads to any shared
resource.
Java Synchronization is better option where we want to allow only one thread to access the
shared resource.
Why use Synchronization
The synchronization is mainly used to
1. To prevent thread interference.

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2. To prevent consistency problem.

Types of Synchronization
There are two types of synchronization
1. Process Synchronization
2. Thread Synchronization
Thread Synchronization
There are two types of thread synchronization mutual exclusive and inter-thread
communication.
1. Mutual Exclusive
2. Synchronized method.
Understanding the problem without Synchronization
In this example, there is no synchronization, so output is inconsistent.
class Table
{
void printTable(int n)
{//method not synchronized
for(int i=1;i<=5;i++)
{
System.out.println(n*i);
try
{
Thread.sleep(400);
}
catch(Exception e)
{
System.out.println(e);}
}
}
}
class MyThread1 extends Thread
{

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Table t;
MyThread1(Table t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public void run()
{
t.printTable(5);
}
}
class MyThread2 extends Thread
{
Table t;
MyThread2(Table t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public void run()
{
t.printTable(100);
}
}
class TestSynchronization1
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Table obj = new Table();//only one object
MyThread1 t1=new MyThread1(obj);
MyThread2 t2=new MyThread2(obj);
t1.start();
t2.start();

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}
}
Output: 5
100
10
200
15
300
20
400
25
500
Java synchronized method
If you declare any method as synchronized, it is known as synchronized method.
Synchronized method is used to lock an object for any shared resource. When a thread invokes a
synchronized method, it automatically acquires the lock for that object and releases it when the
thread completes its task.
//example of java synchronized method
class Table
{
synchronized void printTable(int n)
{//synchronized method
for(int i=1;i<=5;i++)
{
System.out.println(n*i);
try
{
Thread.sleep(400);
}
catch(Exception e)
{

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System.out.println(e);
}
}
}
}
class MyThread1 extends Thread
{
Table t;
MyThread1(Table t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public void run()
{
t.printTable(5);
}
}
class MyThread2 extends Thread
{
Table t;
MyThread2(Table t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public void run()
{
t.printTable(100);
}
}
public class TestSynchronization2
{

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public static void main(String args[])

{
Table obj = new Table();//only one object
MyThread1 t1=new MyThread1(obj);
MyThread2 t2=new MyThread2(obj);
t1.start();
t2.start();
}
}
Output : 5
10
15
20
25
100
200
300
400
500
Synchronized block in java
Synchronized block can be used to perform synchronization on any specific resource of
the method. Suppose you have 50 lines of code in your method, but you want to synchronize
only 5 lines, you can use synchronized block.
If you put all the codes of the method in the synchronized block, it will work same as the
synchronized method.
o Synchronized block is used to lock an object for any shared resource.
o Scope of synchronized block is smaller than the method.
Syntax to use synchronized block
synchronized (object reference expression)
{
//code block

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}
Program of synchronized block
class Table
{
void printTable(int n)
{
synchronized(this)
{//synchronized block
for(int i=1;i<=5;i++)
{
System.out.println(n*i);
try
{
Thread.sleep(400);
}
catch(Exception e)
{
System.out.println(e);
}
}
}
}//end of the method
}
class MyThread1 extends Thread
{
Table t;
MyThread1(Table t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public void run()

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{
t.printTable(5);
}
}
class MyThread2 extends Thread
{
Table t;
MyThread2(Table t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public void run()
{
t.printTable(100);
}
}

public class TestSynchronizedBlock1

{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Table obj = new Table();//only one object
MyThread1 t1=new MyThread1(obj);
MyThread2 t2=new MyThread2(obj);
t1.start();
t2.start();
}
}

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Output:
5
10
15
20
25
100
200
300
400
500
Static synchronization
If you make any static method as synchronized, the lock will be on the class not on
object.
Problem without static synchronization
Suppose there are two objects of a shared class(e.g. Table) named object1 and object2.In
case of synchronized method and synchronized block there cannot be interference between t1
and t2 or t3 and t4 because t1 and t2 both refers to a common object that have a single lock.But
there can be interference between t1 and t3 or t2 and t4 because t1 acquires another lock and t3
acquires another lock.I want no interference between t1 and t3 or t2 and t4.Static synchronization
solves this problem.
Example of static synchronization
In this example we are applying synchronized keyword on the static method to perform
static synchronization.
class Table
{
synchronized static void printTable(int n)
{
for(int i=1;i<=10;i++)
{
System.out.println(n*i);

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try
{
Thread.sleep(400);
}
catch(Exception e)
{
System.out.println(e);
}
}
}
}
class MyThread1 extends Thread
{
public void run()
{
Table.printTable(1);
}
}
class MyThread2 extends Thread
{
public void run()
{
Table.printTable(10);
}
}
class MyThread3 extends Thread
{
public void run()
{
Table.printTable(100);
}

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}
class MyThread4 extends Thread
{
public void run()
{
Table.printTable(1000);
}
}

public class TestSynchronization4

{
public static void main(String t[])
{
MyThread1 t1=new MyThread1();
MyThread2 t2=new MyThread2();
MyThread3 t3=new MyThread3();
MyThread4 t4=new MyThread4();
t1.start();
t2.start();
t3.start();
t4.start();
}
}
Output:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

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8
9
10
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000

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9000
10000

Question: 8 a) Discuss about Deadlock in java.(13)

Or
8 b) Explain Deadlock with an example.(13)

Answer:
Deadlock in java
Deadlock in java is a part of multithreading. Deadlock can occur in a situation when a
thread is waiting for an object lock, that is acquired by another thread and second thread is
waiting for an object lock that is acquired by first thread. Since, both threads are waiting for each
other to release the lock, the condition is called deadlock.
Example of Deadlock in java
public class TestDeadlockExample1
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
final String resource1 = "ratan jaiswal";
final String resource2 = "vimal jaiswal";
// t1 tries to lock resource1 then resource2
Thread t1 = new Thread()
{
public void run()
{
synchronized (resource1)
{
System.out.println("Thread 1: locked resource 1");
try
{
Thread.sleep(100);
}

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catch (Exception e)
{
System.out.println(e);
}
synchronized (resource2)
{
System.out.println("Thread 1: locked resource 2");
}
}
}
};

// t2 tries to lock resource2 then resource1

Thread t2 = new Thread()
{
public void run()
{
synchronized (resource2)
{
System.out.println("Thread 2: locked resource 2");
try
{
Thread.sleep(100);
}
catch (Exception e)
{
System.out.println(e);
}
synchronized (resource1)
{
System.out.println("Thread 2: locked resource 1");

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}
}
}
};
t1.start();
t2.start();
}
}
Output: Thread 1: locked resource 1
Thread 2: locked resource 2

Question: 9 a) Examine Inter thread Communication. Why this feature is required and
how it is achieved? (13)
Or
9 b) Demonstrate Inter thread Communication.(13)
Or
9 c) Using an example, explain inter thread communication in detail.(13)

Answer:
Inter-Thread Communication
Inter-thread communication or Co-operation is all about allowing synchronized threads to
communicate with each other. Cooperation (Inter-thread communication) is a mechanism in
which a thread is paused running in its critical section and another thread is allowed to enter (or
lock) in the same critical section to be executed. It is implemented by following methods
of Object class:
wait()
notify()
notifyAll()
1) wait() method
Causes current thread to release the lock and wait until either another thread invokes the
notify() method or the notifyAll() method for this object, or a specified amount of time has
elapsed.

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The current thread must own this object's monitor, so it must be called from the
synchronized method only otherwise it will throw exception.

Method Description

public final void wait()throws waits until object is notified.

InterruptedException

public final void wait(long timeout)throws waits for the specified

InterruptedException amount of time.

2) notify() method
Wakes up a single thread that is waiting on this object's monitor. If any threads are waiting on
this object, one of them is chosen to be awakened. The choice is arbitrary and occurs at the
discretion of the implementation.
Syntax:
public final void notify()
3) notifyAll() method
Wakes up all threads that are waiting on this object's monitor.
Syntax:
public final void notifyAll()
Example of inter thread communication in java
class Customer
{
int amount=10000;
synchronized void withdraw(int wamount)
{
System.out.println("going to withdraw...");
if(amount<wamount)
{
System.out.println("Less balance; waiting for deposit...");
try

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{
wait();
}
catch(Exception e)
{
System.out.println(e);
}
}
amount=amount-wamount;
System.out.println("withdraw completed...");
}
synchronized void deposit(int damount)
{
System.out.println("going to deposit...");
amount=amount+damount;
System.out.println("deposit completed... ");
notify();
}
}
class Test
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Customer c=new Customer();
new Thread()
{
public void run()
{
c.withdraw(15000);
}
}.start();

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new Thread()
{
public void run()
{
c.deposit(10000);
}
}.start();
}
}
Output:
going to withdraw...
Less balance; waiting for deposit...
going to deposit...
deposit completed...
withdraw completed

Question: 10 a) What is daemon thread explain with an example?(8)

Or
10 b) Discuss about daemon thread in java.(8)

Answer:
Daemon Threads
Daemon thread in java is a service provider thread that provides services to the user
thread for background supporting tasks. Its life depend on the mercy of user threads i.e. when all
the user threads dies, JVM terminates this thread automatically. It is a low priority thread.
There are many java daemon threads running automatically e.g. gc, finalizer etc. The
jconsole tool provides information about the loaded classes, memory usage, running threads etc.
Why JVM terminates the daemon thread if there is no user thread?
The sole purpose of the daemon thread is that it provides services to user thread for
background supporting task. If there is no user thread, JVM terminates the daemon thread if
there is no user thread.

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Methods for Java Daemon thread by Thread class

The java.lang.Thread class provides two methods for java daemon thread.

S.No. Method Description

1) Public void setDaemon(boolean status) is used to mark the current thread as daemon
thread or user thread.

2) public boolean isDaemon() is used to check that current thread is daemon.

Simple example of Daemon thread in java

File: MyThread.java
public class TestDaemonThread1 extends Thread
{
public void run()
{
if(Thread.currentThread().isDaemon()) // checking for daemon thread
{
System.out.println("daemon thread work");
}
else
{
System.out.println("user thread work");
}
}
public static void main(String[] args)
{
TestDaemonThread1 t1=new TestDaemonThread1();//creating thread
TestDaemonThread1 t2=new TestDaemonThread1();
TestDaemonThread1 t3=new TestDaemonThread1();
t1.setDaemon(true);//now t1 is daemon thread
t1.start();//starting threads

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t2.start();
t3.start();
}
}
Output
daemon thread work
user thread work
user thread work

Question: 11 a) Explain thread group with an example?(8)

Or
11 b) Discuss about thread group in java.(8)

Answer:
ThreadGroup
Java provides a convenient way to group multiple threads in a single object. All threads
can be started or suspended within a group with a single method call.
Java thread group is implemented by java.lang.ThreadGroup class.
Constructors of ThreadGroup class
There are only two constructors of ThreadGroup class.

S.No. Constructor Description

1) ThreadGroup(String name) creates a thread group with given

name.

2) ThreadGroup(ThreadGroup parent, creates a thread group with given

String name) parent group and name.

S.No. Method Description

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1) int activeCount() returns number of threads running in

current group.

2) int activeGroupCount() returns a number of active group in this

thread group.

3) void destroy() destroys this thread group and all its sub
groups.

4) String getName() returns the name of this group.

5) ThreadGroup getParent() returns the parent of this group.

6) void interrupt() interrupts all threads of this group.

7) void list() prints information of this group to

standard console.

Methods of ThreadGroup class

There are many methods in ThreadGroup class. A list of important methods are given
below.
Code to group multiple threads.
ThreadGroup tg1 = new ThreadGroup("Group A");
Thread t1 = new Thread(tg1,new MyRunnable(),"one");
Thread t2 = new Thread(tg1,new MyRunnable(),"two");
Thread t3 = new Thread(tg1,new MyRunnable(),"three");
Now all 3 threads belong to one group. Here, tg1 is the thread group name, MyRunnable is the
class that implements Runnable interface and "one", "two" and "three" are the thread names.
Now we can interrupt all threads by a single line of code only.
Thread.currentThread().getThreadGroup().interrupt();
ThreadGroup Example
File: ThreadGroupDemo.java
public class ThreadGroupDemo implements Runnable
{

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public void run()

{
System.out.println(Thread.currentThread().getName());
}
public static void main(String[] args)
{
ThreadGroupDemo runnable = new ThreadGroupDemo();
ThreadGroup tg1 = new ThreadGroup("Parent ThreadGroup");
Thread t1 = new Thread(tg1, runnable,"one");
t1.start();
Thread t2 = new Thread(tg1, runnable,"two");
t2.start();
Thread t3 = new Thread(tg1, runnable,"three");
t3.start();
System.out.println("Thread Group Name: "+tg1.getName());
tg1.list();
}
}
Output:
one
two
three
Thread Group Name: Parent ThreadGroup
java.lang.ThreadGroup[name=Parent ThreadGroup,maxpri=10]
Thread[one,5,Parent ThreadGroup]
Thread[two,5,Parent ThreadGroup]
Thread[three,5,Parent ThreadGroup]

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Question: 12 a) What is generic programming? Explain with an example.(8)

Or
12 b) Discuss about generic programming.(8)

Answer:
Generic programming enables the programmer to create classes, interfaces and methods
that automatically works with all types of data(Integer, String, Float etc). It has expanded the
ability to reuse the code safely and easily..
Before generics, we can store any type of objects in collection i.e. non-generic. Now generics,
forces the java programmer to store specific type of objects.
Advantages of Java Generics
There are mainly 3 advantages of generics. They are as follows:
1) Type-safety :
other objects.
2) Type casting is not required: There is no need to typecast the object.
Before Generics, we need to type cast.
List list = new ArrayList();
list.add("hello");
String s = (String) list.get(0);//typecasting
After Generics, we don't need to typecast the object.
List<String> list = new ArrayList<String>();
list.add("hello");
String s = list.get(0);
3) Compile-Time Checking: It is checked at compile time so problem will not occur at runtime.
The good programming strategy says it is far better to handle the problem at compile time than
runtime.
List<String> list = new ArrayList<String>();
list.add("hello");
list.add(32);//Compile Time Error
Syntax to use generic collection
Class Or Interface<Type>
Example to use Generics in java

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ArrayList<String>

Example of Generics in Java

Here, we are using the ArrayList class, but you can use any collection class such as
ArrayList, LinkedList, HashSet, TreeSet, HashMap, Comparator etc.
import java.util.*;
class TestGenerics1
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
ArrayList<String> list=new ArrayList<String>();
list.add("rahul");
list.add("jai");
//list.add(32);//compile time error
String s=list.get(1);//type casting is not required
System.out.println("element is: "+s);
Iterator<String> itr=list.iterator();
while(itr.hasNext())
{
System.out.println(itr.next());
}
}
}
Output:element is: jai
rahul
jai

Question: 13 a) What is generic class? Explain with an example.(8)

Or
13 b) Discuss about generic class in Java.(8)

Answer:
Generic Class

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A class that can refer to any type is known as generic class. Here, we are using T type
parameter to create the generic class of specific type.
Simple example to create and use the generic class.
public class Pair<T>
{
public Pair()
{
first=null;
second=null;
}
public Pair(T first, T second)
{
this.first=first;
this.second=second;
}
public T getFirst()
{
return first;
}
public T getSecond()
{
return second;
}
class Test
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Pair<Integer> p1=new Pair(1,2);
Pair<Float> p2=new Pair(1.1,2.2);

));

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}
}
Output:
P1: 1 2
P2: 1.1 2.2
P3: SUNIL KUMAR
The T type indicates that it can refer to any type (like String, Integer, Employee etc.). The
type you specify for the class, will be used to store and retrieve the data.

Question: 14 a) What is generic method? Explain with an example.(8)

Or
14 b) Discuss about generic method in Java.(8)

Answer:
Generic Method
Like generic class, we can create generic method that can accept any type of argument.
Single method can be defined with type parameters. This method is defined inside ordinary class.
Syntax:

{
Action Block;
}
Example:
public class GenericDemo
{
public static < T > void print_val (T val)
{
System.out.println( );
}
}

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class Maindemo
{
public static void main( String args[] )
{
GenericDemo g=new GenericDemo();

g.print_val(10);
\nFloating
g.print_val(5.5f);
\

}
}
Output:
Integer
Value:10
Floating point
Value:5.5f
String
welcome

Question: 15 a) What is Wildcard in Java Generics? Explain with an example.(8)

Or
15 b) Discuss about Wildcard in Java Generics.(8)

Answer:
Wildcard in Java Generics
The ? (question mark) symbol represents wildcard element. It represents an unknown
type. The wildcard can be used in a variety of situations such as the type of a parameter, field, or
local variable; sometimes as a return type. If we write <? extends Number>, it means any child
class of Number e.g. Integer, Float, double etc. Now we can call the method of Number class
through any child class object.

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UNIT IV MULTITHREADING AND GENERIC PROGRAMMING 36

import java.util.*;
abstract class Shape
{
abstract void draw();
}
class Rectangle extends Shape
{
void draw()
{
System.out.println("drawing rectangle");
}
}
class Circle extends Shape
{
void draw()
{
System.out.println("drawing circle");
}
}
class GenericTest
{
//creating a method that accepts only child class of Shape
public static void drawShapes(List<? extends Shape> lists)
{
for(Shape s:lists)
{
s.draw();//calling method of Shape class by child class instance
}
}
public static void main(String args[])
{

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List<Rectangle> list1=new ArrayList<Rectangle>();

list1.add(new Rectangle());
List<Circle> list2=new ArrayList<Circle>();
list2.add(new Circle());
list2.add(new Circle());
drawShapes(list1);
drawShapes(list2);
}
}
Output
drawing rectangle
drawing circle
drawing circle

Question: 16 a) What is bounded types in java? Explain with an example.(13)

Or
16 b) Discuss about bounded types in java.(13)

Answer:
Bounded Type Parameters
A class or a method needs to place restrictions on type variables.
While creating objects to generic classes we can pass any derived type as type parameters
To limit the types that can be passed to type parameters. For that purpose, bounded types
are introduced in generics.
For example, if we want a generic class that works only with numbers(like int, double,
float, then declare type parameter of that class as a bounded type to number
class.
Then while creating objects to that class you have to pass only number types or
subclass type as type parameters.
For example in a method that compares two objects and we want to make sure that the
accepted objects are Comparables.

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The invocation of these methods is similar to unbounded method except that if we will
try to use any class that is not Comparable, it will throw compile time error.
Declare a bounded type parameter
1. List the ty
2. Along by the extends keyword
3. And by its upper bound
Syntax
<T extends superClassName>
This specifies that T can only be replaced by superClassName, or subclasses of superClassName.
Thus, superclass defines an inclusive, upper limit.
Example:
class Test<T extends Number>
{
T t;
public Test(T t)
{
this.t=t;
}
public T get()
{
return t;
}
}
public class BoundedTypeDemo
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
//creating obj by passing integer as a type parameter
Test<Integer> obj=new Test<Integer>(123);

//creating obj by passing double as a type parameter

Test<Double> obj1=new Test<Double>(12.3);

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Double 1.getT());
//creating obj by passing String as a type parameter
//It gives compile time error
//Test<String> obj2=new Test<String>( );
// String 2.getT());
}
}
Output:
The Integer is: 123
The Double is : 12.3
Java provides bounded types when specifying a type parameter, an upper bound must be
created that declares the super class from which all type arguments must be derived.
Type parameter can be specified using an extends clause.
Bounding of T prevents non-numeric objects from being created. In this example, if the
comments from the lines are removed, it shows compile time error. Because String is not
a subclass of Number.
In addition to class type, interface type can also be used as a bound.
Example:
class Gen<T extends MyClass & MyInterface>
{
//
}
T is bounded by a class called MyClass and an interface called MyInterface.
Any argument passed to T must be a subclass of MyClass and implement MyInterface.
Multiple Bounds
Bounded type parameters can be used with methods as well as classes and interfaces.
Java Generics supports multiple bounds also, i.e . In this case A can be an interface or class. If A

bounds.
Syntax
<T extends superClassName & Interface>

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Example:
class Bound<T extends A & B>
{
private T objRef;
public Bound(T obj)
{
this.objRef = obj;
}
public void doRunTest()
{
this.objRef.displayClass();
}
}
interface B
{
public void displayClass();
}
class A implements B
{
public void displayClass()
{
System.out.println("Inside super class A");
}
}
public class BoundedClass
{
public static void main(String a[])
{
//Creating object of sub class A and
//passing it to Bound as a type parameter.
Bound<A> bea = new Bound<A>(new A());

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bea.doRunTest();
}
}

Output :
Inside super class A
Question: 17 a) What are the restrictions and limitations to be considered in generic programming?(8)
Or
17 b) Discuss the various restrictions and limitations to be considered in generic
programming.(8)

A number of restrictions need to consider when working with Java generics.

i)Type Parameters cannot be Instantiated with primitive Types
It is not possible to create an instance of a type parameter.
Example:

class Gen<T>
{
T ob;
Gen()
{
ob=new T(); //Illegal
}
}
ii) Restrictions on Static Members:
No static member can use a type parameter declared by the enclosing class.
Example:
All of the static members of this class are Illegal.
class Wrong<T>
{
//wrong, no static variables of Type T
static T ob;
//wrong, no static method can use T
static T getob()
{
return ob;
}
//wrong, no static method can access object of type T
static void showob()
{
System.out.println(ob);
}

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iii) Arrays of Parameterized Types are not legal

Cannot declare arrays of parameterized type such as
Example:
Pair<String>[] table=new Pair<String>[10]; //Error
In the above line Pair[] can convert it to object[]
Object[] objarray=table;
//error component type is Pair

Example:
public Pair()
{
first=new T(); //Error
second=new T(); //Error
}

v) Generic Array Restrictions:

There are two important generic restrictions that apply to arrays
i) Cannot Instantiate an array whose base type is a type parameter
ii) Cannot create an array of type-specific generic references.
Example:
1) Vals=new T[10];
2) Gen<Integer> gen[]=new Gen<Integer>[10]; -
specific generic references
vi) Generic Exception Restriction:
A generic class cannot extend throwable (ie) Generic exception classes cannot be created.
vii) Cannot Throw or catch Instances of a Generic Class
Generic class can neither throw nor catch objects.
Example:
public static<T extends throwable>
void doWork(class <T> t)
{
try
{
-----
}
catch(T e) //Error, can
{
--------
}
}

CS 8392 OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING