java generics - name clash error

[Amitav Chowdhury]

Can some one tell me why the following code does not compile:

public class Pair<T> {


    public boolean equals(T value) { //compilation - error
        return false;
    }
}

I was under the impression after type erasure the signature of equals method would change
to : public boolean equals(Object value) . Therefore it would be a valid method overriding.

[fred rosenberger]

These questions are MUCH easier to answer if you provide the compilation error in its entirety, rather than just saying "compilation error".

[Campbell Ritchie]

Which compiler are you using and what error are you suffering?

[Amitav Chowdhury]

I get the following error while compiling the code using javac:

Name clash: The method equals(T) of type Pair<T> has the same erasure as equals(Object) of type Object but does not override it

[Rob Spoor]

When you compile that code the compiler removes all generics information. That T will be turned into Object, so your method will be turned into "public boolean equals(Object)". However, since you didn't override that method it is inherited - because from a source point of view, equals(T) is not the same as equals(Object). So you end up with two methods with identical names and argument types, and that's not allowed.