In this assignment, you will explore the designing of generic classes and methods in Java, focusing on the critical factors that contribute to flexibility and maintainability. You will delve into the core principles and considerations that should be prioritized during the design phase to ensure adaptability to diverse data types and long$-$term code sustainability.

Based on your understanding of the concepts and the readings, engage yourself in a discussion to answer the following questions:

a$)$ When designing generic classes and methods, what factors do you prioritize to ensure flexibility and maintainability?

b$)$ Share any challenges or roadblocks you faced when implementing generics. How did you overcome these challenges?