Xlint:unchecked compilation error?

Question

Hello,
when i try to compile the following code as part of a servlet application , the following Xlint:unchecked error occurs.I cant understand since I am using jdk1.5 or is it referring to generics in collections?if so could anyone pls reply how to fix it.Thanks in advance.
import java.util.*;
public class BeerExpert{
     public List getBrands(String color) {
          List brands = new ArrayList();
          if(color.equals("amber"))
     brands.add("Jack Amber");
     brands.add("Red Moose");
else
     brands.add("Jail Pale Aile");
return (brands);
C:\javac BeerExpert.java
Note: BeerExpert.java uses unchecked or unsafe operations.
Note :Recompile with -Xlint:unchecked for details.

Answer 1

C:\javac BeerExpert.java
Note: BeerExpert.java uses unchecked or unsafe
operations.
Note :Recompile with -Xlint:unchecked for details.Yes it is referring to generics. The first step is to "Recompile with -Xlint:unchecked for details." like the compiler told you to do. That is
javac -Xlint:unchecked BeerExpert.java