Unusual signature of java.util.ArrayList.toArray(T[]) method

Question

Java

The signature of the specified method is: public <T> T[] toArray(T[] a) . T[] is the return type. The question is - what does <T> mean, what is it called and what is the meaning of it?

Answer 1

Honestly, everything can be found through search engines.
Here is a description and an example of the application of the method.
Can't use search engines

Answer 2

It's called Generic Methods
docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/extra/generics/methods.html

Answer 3

Here is a good introduction to generics - www.rsdn.ru/article/java/genericsinjava.xml