Question

Is it possible to change a methods signature in Java depending on the parameter?

Example:

Given a class, with a generic parameter MyItem<T>.
Assume this class has a method, which returns T
Given a second class ‘myReturner()’ which contains method myreturn(MyItem<T>).

Question:

Can i make myreturn(MyItem<T>) return a T object, depending on the generic parameter of MyItem?

I suppose it is not possible, because the signature is set during compile time in Java, and T is not known at compile time.
If so, what is the best way to simulate a method, which will return different objects, depending on parameter?
Is writing an own method for each parameter type the only way?

Answer 1

Something like this?

private <T> T getService(Class<T> type) {
    T service = ServiceTracker.retrieveService(type);
    return service;
}