* use the {@code ArrayList} {@linkplain ArrayList#ArrayList() constructor} directly, taking
   * advantage of <a
   * href="https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/generics/genTypeInference.html#type-inference-instantiation">"diamond"
   * syntax</a>.
   */
  @GwtCompatible(serializable = true)
  @SuppressWarnings("NonApiType") // acts as a direct substitute for a constructor call
  public static <E extends @Nullable Object> ArrayList<E> newArrayList() {