Is it possible to extend the generic type to multiple classes in Java?

Question

I am trying to write a method in Java that uses a generic parameter and which I want to restrict to being exclusively either one of three possible classes (either Field, Method, or Constructor).

I've tried the following header:

private static <T extends Field,Method,Constructor> T[] sort(T[] anArray)

But this way it ignores generic parameters of type Method or Constructor. Using the following also produces an error:

private static <T extends Field | Method | Constructor> T[] sort(T[] anArray)

Is it possible to do such a thing in Java?

Answer 1

For your particular case (If you are talking about the Reflection specific classes), you are in luck.

You can use the AccessibleObject class.

private static <T extends AccessibleObject> T[] sort(T[] anArray)

You may also be interested in Member interface depending on your requirement.