@Deprecated

The @Deprecated annotation doesn't have a Target on it on the java doc. As the target can be anything contructor, field, what ever why did not they mention that @Deprecated Targets class or a method ?

The @Deprecated tag can target a class, a field, a constructor or a method.

Yes but why did not they specify that in Target for this annotation type ?

From the javadoc for the @Target meta-annotation:

Indicates the kinds of program element to which an annotation type is applicable. If a Target meta-annotation is not present on an annotation type declaration, the declared type may be used on any program element.

So does that answer your question? Since anything can be deprecated, there's no need for @Target (the purpose of which is to restrict the applicability of an annotation type.)

Since anything can be deprecated...

Can I deprecate a field or a local variable or a parameter ?
[ September 29, 2008: Message edited by: Santhosh Jali ]

A field yes. The others: stop being silly

Originally posted by Campbell Ritchie:
A field yes. The others: stop being silly

Then I think they should have set the Target on the Deprecated annotation as I cannot use the Deprecated annotation on all kinds of elements. What do you think ?

Annotations can be used on any kind of class member. Probably constructors too, but I haven't tried.

Originally posted by Campbell Ritchie:
A field yes. The others: stop being silly

Actually, you can make local variables and parameters deprecated using @Deprecated.

It doesn't make any sense of course, but the compiler allows it.

There are lots of things the compiler allows . . .