Date:     Tue, 8 Jun 2004 21:32:22 -0400
From:     Dan Jacobs
Subject:  WebTech 6/15 7pm - Java Generic Types

Hi everyone.  The hot weather has returned to New England, and with it
we have some hot topics to keep you on top of the latest technology.

This month's WebTech meeting will be on Tuesday June 15th, 7 to 9 pm
at the IBM SPC in Waltham, and we'll be talking about Java Generic
Types.  Details and directions will be available on the group's web
site, at http://www.acm.org/chapters/webtech.

I hope to see you there!
Dan Jacobs, Chairman

Abstract:

Version 1.5 of Java is scheduled for release this summer.  Several
changes to the core Java language are coming with this release.  The
biggest and most interesting change is generics.  Generics is similar
to the C++ templates feature, allowing you to write code where the
classes are parameters, instead of being built-in.  Generics will
allow for type-safe versions of the standard Java collections such as
List and Map.

This language feature has been controversial.  It is useful but also
has some downsides and glitches.  Dan Jacobs and Mitch Gart will talk
about Java generics and will cover the positive aspects of this
language feature, as well as the problem areas.

About the speakers:

Mitch Gart and Dan Jacobs have been involved with programming language
design and implementation for over 20 years.  Both Mitch and Dan have
a keen interest in strong typing systems, the JDK1.5 Java Programming
Language type system in particular, and in static programming type
systems in general.  Mitch and Dan are both active in the local
software engineering community and with the local WebTech chapter.