Overloading method with generic parameters

Question

I have method that returns generic parameter. For example

public E doSmth(E item){
return item;
}

Is there a way to create same method get but only for example String like

public String doSmth(String item){
return item + item;
}

So if i pass String, it works with String, but if i pass anything else it does basic method with generic. Can i somehow do it without error that 'two same methods in class' ?

• Roy Shahaf: A way around this issue is to have the generic method more complicated, having it delegate work based on the type of the parameter.

Answer 1

This should work right? Java will always try to call the method that has the most refined type of the parameter you have put in the call

public <E> E doSmth(E item){
 return item;
}
public String doSmth(String item){
 return item + item;
}

• Ars: No. It won't work. Compiler will say "i have two exact same methods and don't know wich one to use"
• Stephan Hogenboom: Can you show how you call the method? I tried this multiple times and it seems to work. Do you have other method with the same signature that might conflict?