Advantages of Lambda Expression in Java 8

Java 8 introduced a number of new features to the programming language, one of the most significant being the lambda expression. Lambda expressions provide a concise way to express a method that can be passed around as an argument to another method, enabling functional programming paradigms in Java. In this article, we will discuss some of the advantages of using lambda expressions in Java 8.

• Conciseness

Functional interfaces can be succinctly represented using lambda expressions. Functional interfaces, which are interfaces with a single abstract method, are the fundamental units of Java 8's lambda expressions. We can more succinctly explain the implementation of the functional interface using a lambda expression than we can with an unnamed inner class.

• Readability

Lambda expressions make the code more readable by eliminating the need for boilerplate code that would typically be required for anonymous inner classes. This makes the code more expressive and easier to understand, as the programmer can focus on the intent of the code rather than the implementation details.

• Flexibility

We are able to develop more adaptable code with lambda expressions. We may quickly give behaviour to a method as a parameter by utilising functional interfaces and lambda expressions. As a result, our code is more modular and can be applied to various situations.

• Parallelism

The idea of streams, a potent tool for working with collections, was introduced in Java 8. The simplicity with which streams can be parallelized is one of its benefits. We may make use of multi-core processors and boost the efficiency of our programmes by using lambda expressions to define the behaviour of a stream operation.

• Improved API

Java API designers are now able to give developers a more useful API thanks to lambda expressions. The API can offer methods that take functions as parameters by employing lambda expressions, which makes the API more flexible and user-friendly. As a result, the API has become more simplified and expressive and is simpler to understand and use.

Here's an example program in Java that takes two integers as input from the user and calculates their sum, with comments explaining each step:

SumCalculator.java

Output:

Enter the first integer: 5
Enter the second integer: 7
The sum of 5 and 7 is 12.

• The Scanner class from the java.util package, which offers a straightforward method to read input from the user, is imported by the programme.
• The main method is the entry point of the program, which is where the program execution begins.
• The program creates a new Scanner object called inputScanner to read input from the user.
• Using the System.out.print method, the application asks the user to enter the first integer. The input is then read using the inputScanner.nextInt() method and stored in the firstInt variable.
• The program then prompts the user to enter the second integer and reads the input into the secondInt variable.
• The program calculates the sum of the two integers by adding firstInt and secondInt, storing the result in the sum variable.
• Lastly, the software displays the result to the user by concatenating the message text and variables to create a comprehensible sentence using the System.out.println method.

Now, Java has a potent tool for functional programming thanks to lambda expressions. Lambda expressions enable clear and expressive code, which improves the readability and modularity of the code. Additionally, they give us flexibility in how we utilise our code and make it simple to reuse the same code in other circumstances. Lambda expressions have also enhanced the Java API, making it more usable and functional.