Weird language pattern (warning: java noob)

[sneakyimp]

I'm new to Java. I was wondering what is going on in this line...especially the <File> part. I've never seen that pattern in a programming language before.

List<File> files = FileListing.getFileListing(startingDirectory);

[chazzy]

it means that the return type is a list, and the list only contains File objects.

[sneakyimp]

thanks!