Java 8 Features

24 September 2021

Why Java 8 ?

• Most popular and widely accepted language in the world.
• Java wanted to introduce features such as:
  • Lambdas
  • Streams
  • Optional and etc.,
• Technological advancements with the mobile/laptops/systems.
• Java 8 features simplify the concurrency operations.

Functional Programming:

• Embraces creating Immutable objects.
• More concise and readable code.
• Using functions/methods as first class citizens.
• Example: Function addSomeString = (name) -> name.toUpperCase().concat(“default”);

What is Lambda Expression?

• Lambda is just like a function (method) without a name.
• Lambda’s are also referred to as Anonymous functions.
  • Method parameters
  • Method Body
  • Return Type
• Lambdas are not bound to any class like a normal method.
• Lambda can also be stored by variables and passed around.
• Syntax of the Lambda Expression: Lambda Expression: ( ) -> { }
  • (): Lambda Body Input Parameter
  • ->: Lambda Arrow
  • { } : Lambda Body

Usages of Lambda

• Lambda is most importantly used to implement the Functional Interfaces(SAM).
• @FunctionalInterface public interface Comparator { int compare(T1 a1, T2 a2);
• @FunctionalInterface public interface Runnable { public abstract void run(); }

Let’s code our first Lambda!

• Implement Runnable using Lambda
• Lambda in Practice
  • ( Things to keep in Mind) ( ) -> Single Statement or Expression; //curly braces are not needed.
  • ( )-> { }; // curly braces are needed for multiple //statements
• @FunctionalInterface public interface Runnable { public abstract void run(); }
• Lambdas vs Legacy Java(until Java7)
• Legacy:
  • Runnable run = new Runnable() { @Override public void run() { System.out.println(“Inside Run 1”); } };
• Java 8:
  • Runnable runLambda = () -> {System.out.println(“Inside Run 2”);};

Functional Interfaces

• Exists since Java 1.0
• Definition: A Functional Interface(SAM) is an interface that has exactly one abstract method.
• @FunctionalInterface: This annotation is introduced as part of the JDK 1.8.
• Optional annotation to signify an interface as Functional Interface.

New Functional Interfaces in Java8

• Consumer – IntConsumer, DoubleConsumer, LongConsumer
• Predicate – IntPredicate, BiPredicate, LongPredicate
• Function – IntFunction, DoubleFunction, LongFunction,IntToDoubleFunction, IntoLongFunction,DoubletoIntFunction, DoubletoLongFunction,LongtoIntFunction, LongtoDoubleFunction,ToIntFunction, ToDoubleFunction,ToLongFunction
• Supplier – IntSupplier, LongSupplier, DoubleSupplier, BooleanSupplier

Method Reference

• Introduced as part of Java 8 and its purpose is to simplify the implementation of Functional Interfaces.
• Shortcut for writing the Lambda Expressions.
• Refer a method in a class

Syntax of Method Reference

• ClassName::instance-methodName
• ClassName::static-methodName
• Instance::methodName

Where to use Method Reference?

• Lambda expressions referring to a method directly.
• Using Lambda: Function toUpperCaseLambda = (s)->s.toUpperCase();
• Using Method Reference:
  • Function toUpperCaseMethodRefernce = String::toUpperCase;

Where Method Reference is not Applicable ?

• Example: Predicate predicateUsingLambda = (s) -> s.getGradeLevel()>=3;
• Constructor Reference
• Introduced as part of Java 1.8
• Syntax: Classname::new
• Example:
  • Supplier studentSupplier = Student::new;
  • Invalid: Student student = Student::new; // compilation issue

Lambdas and Local Variables

• What is a Local variable ?
• Variables that are declared inside a method are called local variables.
• Lambda Functions have some restrictions on using the local variables:
• Not allowed to use the same local variable name as lambda parameters or inside the lambda body.
• Not allowed to re-assign a value to a local variable.
• No restrictions on instance variables.

Introduction to Streams API:

• Introduced as part of Java8
• Main purpose is to perform some operations on Collections.
• Parallel operations are easy to perform with Streams API without having to spawn multiple threads.
• Streams API can be also used with arrays or any kind of I/O.

What is a Stream ?

• Stream is a sequence of elements which can be created out of a collections such as List or Arrays or any kind of I/O resources and etc.,
  • List names = Arrays.asList(“adam”,”dan”,”jenny”); names.stream(); // creates a stream
• Stream operations can be performed either sequentially or parallel. Names.
  • parallelStream(); // creates a parallel stream

Collections and Streams

• Collections
  • Can add or modify elements at any point of time.
  • For Example: List -> list.add()
  • Elements in the collection can be accessed in any order. Use appropriate methods based on the collection. For Example: List -> list.get(4);
  • Collection is eagerly constructed.
  • Collections can be traversed “n” number of times.
  • Collections operate External Iteration to iterate through the elements.
• Streams
  • Cannot add or modify elements in the stream. It is a fixed data set.
  • Elements in the Stream can be accessed only in sequence.
  • Streams are lazily constructed.
  • Streams can be traversed only once.
  • Streams operate Internal Iteration to iterate through the elements.