title: What makes a name of a generic type parameter, generic?
body: <p>I am writing a java manual for myself and I like to put solid facts in.
  I cant seem to describe the generic type parameter. Am wondering what name appears as generic type to a compiler and not an existing object. I know the convention is letter 'T' and other single letters. But I saw in oracle.docs.com an example like:</p>
  
  <pre><code>class name&lt;T1, T2, ..., Tn&gt;{}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>So now I am confused. For the compiler to take a name as a generic type parameter, must there only be no existing class with that name?
  If I had a class Boby:</p>
  
  <pre><code>class Boby{ ... }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Then if I create a method and misstype the name of the class to Bob:</p>
  
  <pre><code>void Method(Bob parameter){}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Would this just compile and parameter gets to be generic type?</p>