Mastering Java: The Ultimate Quiz for 'Thinking in Java'

Why might generics be described as 'less applicable' in some cases?

1. Due to the extra knowledge required for implementation

2. Because of the runtime overhead

3. They are not supported on all JVMs

4. All generics are final and cannot be subclassed

The correct answer is: Due to the extra knowledge required for implementation

Generics are a useful tool in programming as they allow for creating reusable, type-safe components. However, they may be considered 'less applicable' in certain situations. One reason for this is because implementing generics requires additional knowledge and understanding of how they work. Therefore, if a developer is not familiar with generics or does not have the necessary knowledge, they may find it difficult to properly implement them. This can lead to confusion and errors in the code, making generics less applicable in such cases. On the other hand, options B, C, and D are incorrect, as they do not directly relate to the description of generics being "less applicable". Runtime overhead and JVM support may affect the performance and availability of generics, but they do not make generics less applicable. Additionally, not all generics are final and they can be subclassed, so option D is also not a correct explanation for why generics may