How to Dynamically Create an Array of Objects Using a Class Name in Java

How can I create an array of objects dynamically at runtime in Java using the name of a class?

Class clazz = Class.forName("com.example.MyClass");
Object[] array = (Object[]) Array.newInstance(clazz, arraySize);

In Java, you can dynamically create an array of objects using the class name by utilizing reflection and the Array class. This approach is useful when the exact class type of the objects is not known at compile time.

try {
    Class<?> clazz = Class.forName("com.example.MyClass"); // Load the class
    int arraySize = 10; // Define the size of the array
    Object array = Array.newInstance(clazz, arraySize); // Create the array of objects
} catch (ClassNotFoundException e) {
    e.printStackTrace(); // Handle the exception if the class is not found
}

Causes

• The need for flexible data structures where class types are determined at runtime.
• Working with various object types without knowing their specifics during the coding phase.

Solutions

• Use Java Reflection to obtain the class type from a string class name.
• Utilize the Array.newInstance method to create an array of the desired class type.

Mistake: Forgetting to handle ClassNotFoundException when using reflection.

Solution: Always include try-catch to gracefully handle exceptions.

Mistake: Using the wrong class name string.

Solution: Ensure the fully qualified class name is correct and accessible.