type erasure

Definitions

1. A compile-time process by which explicit data type annotations are removed from a program, before run-time execution.
   countable, uncountable
2. A technique by which a class is made generic without requiring compile-time template arguments.
   countable, uncountable

Examples

“Although .NET does not have⟳ type⟳ erasure, meaning it supports reified types, the .NET version of Scala currently follows the JVM's erasure model⟳ in order⟳ to avoid⟳ incompatibilities that would require⟳ a “forked” implementation.”

“Type⟳ erasure is a mapping from types (possibly including parameterized types and type⟳ variables) to types (that are never parameterized types or type⟳ variables).”

“Type⟳ erasure is often seen as a mysterious, enigmatic programming technique. It is not exclusive to C++ (most tutorials on type⟳ erasure use⟳ Java for their examples).”

CEFR level