Java 8 Method References: The Hidden Power You Need for Cleaner Code

From Lambda to Method Reference: A Java Developer’s Guide to Clean, Efficient Code With Method References Real-Life Examples

Introduction

Java 8 introduced method references as a powerful feature, allowing developers to streamline their code and improve readability. This feature serves as a more concise alternative to using lambda expressions when a method already exists. In this article, we’ll dive into the when and why of using method references in Java, with a practical real-time use case, as well as answering some frequently asked interview questions.

Java 8 Method References: The Hidden Power You Need for Cleaner Code

What are Method References in Java 8?

A method reference is a shorthand syntax for calling a method using an expression. It’s often seen as a more readable and efficient alternative to lambda expressions, making your code cleaner and more expressive. Method references can be used in place of lambda expressions when the lambda expression simply calls an existing method.

Types of Method References

In Java 8, there are four common types of method references:

1. Reference to a Static Method
   The syntax ClassName::methodName refers to static methods.
   Example: