java - Legacy array notation not allowed on variable-arity parameter -

i'm asking out of curiosity have not found question specific compile error on stackoverflow:

legacy array notation not allowed on variable-arity parameter

i've come across legacy notation when seeing code containing signature this:

private void a(int ints[]){/*...*/}

so played arround bit until encountered compile error in following samples.

// method compiles expected private void method1(int[][] ints){ /*...*/ }  // private void method2(int[]... ints){ /*...*/ }  // to, makes use of legacy array notation private void method3(int ints[][]){ /*...*/ }  // still does, when mixing notations private void method4(int[] ints[]){ /*...*/ }  // fails compile private void method5(int... ints[]){ /*...*/ } 

is there specific reason, language designer decided implement way? not allow varargs legacy array notation?

note: understand legacy notation

i don't know why decided this*, however, i'd confirm formal part of specification , intended produce compile-time error:

it compile-time error use mixed array notation (§10.2) variable arity parameter.

from jls 8.4.1

_{*that question opinion-based since no 1 besides java language designers tell you. if speculate, it's because allowing multiple notations in first place kind of bad idea.}