When should you prefer raw types and when should you avoid it?

In Java, raw types refer to the use of generic classes or interfaces without specifying their type parameters. While raw types can be useful in certain situations, they also come with potential downsides. Here’s when to prefer or avoid raw types:

When to Prefer Raw Types

• Legacy Code: When working with legacy code that was written before Java introduced generics in Java 5.
• Non-Generic Contexts: When interacting with APIs or libraries that do not support generics.
• Performance Concerns: In some specific performance-critical scenarios where type safety is not a concern.

When to Avoid Raw Types

• Type Safety: When type safety is a priority, using raw types can lead to runtime exceptions due to ClassCastExceptions.
• Code Clarity: Raw types can reduce code readability and maintainability, as the lack of type parameters may confuse developers.
• Generics Benefits: By using parameterized types, you can take full advantage of generics, such as compile-time type checking and eliminating the need for casting.

Example of Raw Type Usage

List myList = new ArrayList(); // Raw type usage
myList.add("Hello");
myList.add(123); // No compile-time error, potential runtime issue