Generic vs. Generative Computing

Generic computing means to treat different things the same way. E.g. by using an abstract framework type interface one can handle many differnt sub-types in a program.

Generative usually means that something specialized is created which usually reduces flexibility at runtime - but that in those case the flexibility is not needed because the generated code has been customized to fit exactly.

Generic types in programming languages like C++ and now since 1.5 also in Java seem to me to include both elements. The way they are defined looks generic to me. The way they are implemented and used seems to be generative. We will take a closer look at Java generics.