Cannot pass a generic type as an argument

[DartBot]

This issue was originally filed by @jolleekin

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Let's say I have a method

    dynamic decode(String text, Type type)

I tried to call it this way

    var x = decode('[1,2,3]', List<int>) as List<int>;

However, the editor says

• [warning] There is no such operator '<' in 'Type'
• [error] Expected to find ')'

[lrhn]

The type "List<int>" cannot be expressed directly as a Type literal. In other words "List<int>" is not syntax for a type literal, but is doing "List less than int" and missing an operand for the following "greater than".
You can use "List<int>" as a type expression, so it's ok after "is" or "as" or as a type annotation, but it can't be used where a general expression is expected.

To get the Type of List<int>, you can use a helper class like:
  
  class Typer<T> { Type get type => T; }

  Type listOfInt = new Typer<List<int>>().type;

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Added Area-Language, AsDesigned labels.

[gbracha]

Added Duplicate label.
Marked as being merged into #11923.