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SWE 619 Quiz Number 5

The document discusses the immutability of a Java class named IWantToBeImmutable, identifying problems with its implementation. Specifically, it highlights that the assignment of a mutable List in the constructor (Line D) compromises the class's immutability. The document also provides an example of how to exploit this flaw by modifying the List after the object's creation.

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13 views

SWE 619 Quiz Number 5

The document discusses the immutability of a Java class named IWantToBeImmutable, identifying problems with its implementation. Specifically, it highlights that the assignment of a mutable List in the constructor (Line D) compromises the class's immutability. The document also provides an example of how to exploit this flaw by modifying the List after the object's creation.

Uploaded by

lowkeyhats
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1/14/24, 8:01 AM SWE 619 Quiz Number 5

SWE 619 Quiz Number 5


September 27, 2023
Name: Group:

Consider the following (supposedly) immutable class:

public final class IWantToBeImmutable { // Line A


private final List<String> list; // Line B
private final String string; // Line C

public IWantToBeImmutable(String string, List<String> list) {


this.list = list; // Line D
this.string = string; // Line E
}

public List<String> getList() {


return new ArrayList<String> (list); // Line F
}
public String getString() { return string; } // Line G
}

1. Mark whether each line of code is a problem w.r.t. the immutability of class
IWantToBeImmutable.

Line A: ____ Yes ____ No

Line B: ____ Yes ____ No

Line C: ____ Yes ____ No

Line D: ____ Yes ____ No

Line E: ____ Yes ____ No

Line F: ____ Yes ____ No

Line G: ____ Yes ____ No


Answer: Line D is a problem for immutability. Other lines are not.

2. Write pseudo-code that compromises the immutability of the IWantToBeImmutable class.

Answer: We need an attack on the List object, since it is the only mutable component the
client can get access to.

https://cdn-uploads.piazza.com/paste/gxxicyrgsbf2x6/b17cc5f80a25dfb8722c74344207d63fd031539e0c8c642d020a5e075b0a99a6/quiz05.html 1/2
1/14/24, 8:01 AM SWE 619 Quiz Number 5

Here is a mutability attack enabled through the fault on line D:

List<String> list = //... supppose list is [cat, dog]


IWantToBeImmutable im = new IWantToBeImmutable("bat", list);
list.add("elephant"); // now I've changed the internal state of im
// from
// <bat, [cat, dog]>
// to
// <bat, [cat, dog, elephant]>

https://cdn-uploads.piazza.com/paste/gxxicyrgsbf2x6/b17cc5f80a25dfb8722c74344207d63fd031539e0c8c642d020a5e075b0a99a6/quiz05.html 2/2

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