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Java Method References

Method References

Java method references use :: for concise lambda syntax.

Introduction to Method References

In Java, method references provide a way to refer to methods of functional interfaces using the :: operator. They enable you to use methods as arguments for other methods, resulting in more readable and concise code.

Types of Method References

Java provides four types of method references:

  • Reference to a Static Method
  • Reference to an Instance Method of a Particular Object
  • Reference to an Instance Method of an Arbitrary Object of a Particular Type
  • Reference to a Constructor

Reference to a Static Method

You can use a class's static method as a method reference. This is useful when you need to pass a static method as a parameter to a functional interface.

Reference to an Instance Method of a Particular Object

This type of method reference is used to call an instance method of a specific object. Unlike static method references, you need an object instance to refer to the method.

Reference to an Instance Method of an Arbitrary Object of a Particular Type

This method reference allows you to refer to an instance method of an arbitrary object of a particular type. It's commonly used with stream operations.

Reference to a Constructor

Constructor references are used to create a new instance of a class. They are similar to method references but are used with the new keyword.

When to Use Method References

Method references are useful when you have existing methods that match the signature of a functional interface. They provide a clear and concise syntax that improves code readability, especially when working with streams and collections.

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Functional Interfaces