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A boxing conversion converts the value of a primitive type to the corresponding value of the reference type, for instance, from {{int}} to the type {{Integer}} \[[JLS 05|AA. Java References#JLS 05]\].  It can be convenient in many cases where an object parameter is desired, such as with collection classes like {{Map}} and {{List}}. Another use case is to pass object references to methods, as opposed to primitive types that are always passed by value. The resulting wrapper types also help reduce clutter in code.