OnJava8-Examples/containers/AsListInference.java

// containers/AsListInference.java
// <20>2016 MindView LLC: see Copyright.txt
// Arrays.asList() makes its best guess about type.
import java.util.*;

class Snow {}
class Powder extends Snow {}
class Light extends Powder {}
class Heavy extends Powder {}
class Crusty extends Snow {}
class Slush extends Snow {}

public class AsListInference {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    List<Snow> snow1 = Arrays.asList(
      new Crusty(), new Slush(), new Powder());

    // Won't compile:
    // List<Snow> snow2 = Arrays.asList(
    //   new Light(), new Heavy());
    // Compiler says:
    // found   : java.util.List<Powder>
    // required: java.util.List<Snow>

    // Collections.addAll() doesn't get confused:
    List<Snow> snow3 = new ArrayList<>();
    Collections.addAll(snow3, new Light(), new Heavy());

    // Give a hint using an
    // explicit type argument specification:
    List<Snow> snow4 = Arrays.<Snow>asList(
       new Light(), new Heavy());
  }
}
/* Output: (None) */