java -- generic instance of (element instanceof E)

Question

I would like to determine if an object is an instanceof a generic type. How may I do this?

something like if (someVariable instanceof E){} Thanks!

EDIT

I think I found an answer: if (getClass() != obj.getClass()) {return false;}

Something like that http://mindprod.com/jgloss/instanceof.html — zaoudis, Nov 21 '11 at 22:06
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1570073/java-instanceof-and-generics — Nadir Muzaffar, Nov 21 '11 at 22:10
Your edit doesn't make sense to me. Would you mind showing us your code? — Paul Bellora, Nov 21 '11 at 22:27
The question is valid, but doesn't have an answer in Java. The proposed answer is complete nonsense. What is going on here? — Tom Anderson, Nov 21 '11 at 22:57

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 21 '11 at 22:08

3

This is not possible due to type erasure.

answered Nov 21 '11 at 22:08

Paul Bellora

Could the downvoter please comment? Erasure is a comprehensive limitation on the language. If you're looking for a workaround, ask and I'll edit my answer. – Paul Bellora Nov 21 '11 at 22:31

1 Answers1