Android and generic pattern

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I recently discovered the following pattern in android classes (Intent):

AClass c = data.getParcelableExtra("name");

signature:

public <T extends Parcelable> T getParcelableExtra(String name)

Further down the trail there is a cast:

public <T extends Parcelable> T getParcelable(String key) {
    unparcel();
    Object o = mMap.get(key);
    if (o == null) {
        return null;
    }
    try {
        return (T) o;
    } catch (ClassCastException e) {
        typeWarning(key, o, "Parcelable", e);
        return null;
    }
}

The lack of a cast in the code calling getParcelableExtra struck me. I found the structure 'similar to' findViewById(int id). Why are findViewById not implemented with the following signature:

public <T extends View> T genericsFindViewById(int id) {
    switch (id){ //Bogus method body as example
        case 1:
            return (T) new TextView(getActivity());
        case 2:
            return (T) new RecyclerView(getActivity());
        default:
            return (T) new ImageView(getActivity());
    }
}

//Examples
TextView t = genericsFindViewById(1);
RecyclerView r = genericsFindViewById(2);
ImageView i = genericsFindViewById(4);
TextView t2 = genericsFindViewById(4); // this gives ClassCastException
//But the following would as well:
TextView t3 = (TextView) rootView.findViewById(R.id.image_view);

I have no problem, I just want to understand why they made the cast internal in the android structure in one case and not the other?

1 Answers
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