[type-annos-observers] TYPE_USE target and repeatable annotations.

[Alex Buckley]

JSR 308 introduced ElementType.TYPE_USE as pertaining not only to uses 
of types but also to declarations of types; logically, it's a 
"supertype" of ElementType.TYPE. The rationale is to simplify migration 
of annotation types which have a target of ElementType.TYPE but would 
like to have their annotations work on uses of types. The time to 
discuss this rationale has long passed.

Separately, ElementType.TYPE is logically a supertype of 
ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE. You've been able to write a TYPE annotation 
on the declaration of an annotation type since 2004.

Together, this means you can write a TYPE_USE annotation on the 
declaration of an annotation type.

Alex

On 11/11/2013 5:55 PM, Srikanth S Adayapalam wrote:
>  >
>  > Again, a TYPE_USE annotation has always been allowed by JSR 308 wherever
>  > a TYPE annotation is allowed,
>
> Well, "Has always been allowed" is not an argument for it being correct,
> sound or meaningful - is it ?
>
>  > which includes declarations of annotation
>  > types. So there is nothing wrong with this program.
>
> What is the meaning of the type use annotation being applied to an
> annotation
> declaration ? Perhaps this is the piece missing in my understanding.
>
> Thanks!
> Srikanth.