Array list proper syntax

[obaid abbassi]

what is the proper syntax for array list


some people use

ArrayList<String> cars = new ArrayList<String>();

but some use


ArrayList  cars = new ArrayList();

will it make any difference?

[Campbell Ritchie]

Neither is correct.

It is correct to declare such a reference by its interface, so that gives you

List... list = new ArrayList...(); // won't compile

You will have problems accessing these two methods: 1 2, because it will need a cast.
Have a look at the Java™ Tutorials. You need to use an actual type parameter <String> to ensure that all its elements are the same type and to obviate any casting whenever you get(...) any elements. If you find an old (Java5/6/7) edition of the Java™ Tutorials, you can find a different description of generics. It is usually possible to miss out the second actual type parameter because the compiler can infer it 99% of the time.
The correct way to declare and initialise your List is

List<String> words = new ArrayList<>();

You may use a different constructor.

Moving you to a more appropriate forum.