Raw Types

If generics are cramping your style, you are technically allowed to turn them off.

If you make an instance of a generic class without any <> we call that a "raw type."

class Box<T> {
    T data;
}

void main() {
    Box b = new Box();
}

When you have a raw type you will see Object in any place you put¹ a type variable.

This lets you do whatever you want without the burden of having to make sense to Java.

class Box<T> {
    T data;
}

void main() {
    Box b = new Box();
    b.data = 123;
    b.data = "abc";

    if (b.data instanceof String s) {
        System.out.println(s);
    }
}

Raw types exist for two basic reasons

1. Every now and then Java isn't smart enough. Trust that there are valid reasons to turn off generics, even I haven't shown you any yet. Avoid doing so yourself - at least for awhile.
2. Generics weren't always in Java! Classes that later were made generic had to stay compatible with old "raw" usages somehow.

All that is to say: Be aware raw types exist. Make sure you are always putting <> otherwise you are falling into that mode. Avoid that mode.