Unhelpful error message for array declarations lacking the length

Name: jl125535 Date: 03/15/2002


FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.4.0"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.0-b92)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.0-b92, mixed mode)

FULL OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION :
Microsoft Windows 2000 [Version 5.00.2195]


A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
When an array is declared without a length, the compiler gives an
unhelpful error message.

REGRESSION. Last worked in version 1.2.2

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1.Declare a empty array e.g byte[] bdata = new byte[];
2.Compile in both jdk 1.2.2 & 1.4

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
Expected: (last seen in 1.2.2)

% use122
java version "1.2.2"
Classic VM (build JDK-1.2.2-W, green threads, sunwjit)
% javac ArrayTest.java
ArrayTest.java:5: Array dimension missing.
        byte[] bdata = new byte[];
                       ^
1 error

Actual: (seen in 1.3.0 and 1.4.0)
% use14
java version "1.4.0"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.0-b92)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.0-b92, mixed mode)
% javac ArrayTest.java
ArrayTest.java:5: '{' expected
        byte[] bdata = new byte[];
                                 ^
1 error



This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
public class ArrayTest
{
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        byte[] bdata = new byte[];
    }
}

---------- END SOURCE ----------
(Review ID: 144142)
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