How to get the .class of a Generics defined entity

Question

This question already has an answer here:

• Java - Generics with lists 5 answers

So how can I do the following in Java?

List<String> strings = new ArrayList<String>();       
JAXBElement<List<String>> jax = new JAXBElement<List<String>>(new QName("strings"), List<String>.class, strings);

The issue specifically occurs at List.class and the error returned is:

Multiple markers at this line
- List cannot be resolved to a variable
- String cannot be resolved to a variable
- Syntax error on token ">", void expected after this token

Answer 1

You can't.

The closest approximation to what you want is to use (Class<List<String>>) List.class.

This is because there is no List<String>.class, because at runtime, List<String>, List<Banana>, List<FruitSalad>, and List are all the same in Java. This is deliberately done for a whole bunch o' reasons, and it's called type erasure.