Java 8 New features

Java 8 introduced several new features and enhancements to the language, focusing on improving code readability, conciseness, and support for functional programming. Here are some key features with examples:

1. Lambda Expressions

Lambda expressions introduce a concise way to express instances of single-method interfaces (functional interfaces). They improve the readability of code, especially when working with functional interfaces.

For more explanation Lambda Expression

Example:

// Before Java 8
Runnable runnable = new Runnable() {
    @Override
    public void run() {
        System.out.println("Running the old way!");
    }
};

// Java 8 with Lambda
Runnable lambdaRunnable = () -> System.out.println("Running with Lambda!");

2. Functional Interfaces

Functional interfaces are interfaces with a single abstract method. They enable the use of lambda expressions for concise and expressive code.

Example:

// Predefined Functional Interface: Runnable
Runnable myRunnable = () -> System.out.println("Executing...");

// Custom Functional Interface
@FunctionalInterface
interface MyFunctionalInterface {
    void myMethod();
}

MyFunctionalInterface myFunction = () -> System.out.println("My custom method.");

3. Streams API

The Streams API provides a powerful and expressive way to manipulate collections of data, supporting operations like filter, map, reduce, and more.

Details on Stream API

Example:

List<String> myList = Arrays.asList("Apple", "Banana", "Orange", "Grapes");

// Using Stream API to filter and print
myList.stream()
       .filter(fruit -> fruit.startsWith("A"))
       .forEach(System.out::println);

4. Default Methods

Default methods allow interface authors to add new methods to interfaces without breaking backward compatibility.

Static and Default method

Example:

interface MyInterface {
    void existingMethod();

    default void newMethod() {
        System.out.println("Default implementation of newMethod");
    }
}

class MyClass implements MyInterface {
    @Override
    public void existingMethod() {
        System.out.println("Implementing existingMethod");
    }
}

// Using default method
MyClass myObject = new MyClass();
myObject.existingMethod();
myObject.newMethod();

5. Method References

Method references provide a shorthand syntax for lambda expressions to call methods.

Example:

List<String> names = Arrays.asList("Alice", "Bob", "Charlie");

// Using lambda expression
names.forEach(name -> System.out.println(name));

// Using method reference
names.forEach(System.out::println);

6. Optional

The Optional class provides a more robust way to handle potentially null values without explicitly using null references.

Optional Class in Java 8

Example:

String name = null;

// Before Java 8
if (name != null) {
    System.out.println(name.length());
} else {
    System.out.println("Name is null");
}

// Java 8 with Optional
Optional<String> optionalName = Optional.ofNullable(name);
optionalName.ifPresent(n -> System.out.println(n.length()));

These Java 8 features contribute to more expressive, concise, and maintainable code, enabling developers to write cleaner and more functional-style programs. Each feature addresses specific aspects of programming, promoting best practices and enhancing the overall development experience in Java.