When Should You Choose Anonymous Classes Over Lambda Expressions in Java 8?

Lambda Expressions vs. Anonymous Classes in Java8

With the advent of Java8, lambda expressions have emerged as a powerful alternative to anonymous classes. This has prompted questions about the continued relevance of anonymous classes in Java8.

Benefits of Lambdas

Lambda expressions offer several advantages:

• Conciseness: As illustrated in the sorting example, lambdas can drastically reduce code complexity, making it easier to read and understand.
• Simplicity: Lambda expressions use a simple syntax and do not require the creation of separate classes, simplifying development.
• Single Method Interfaces: Lambdas are particularly useful for implementing single-method interfaces, such as Comparator and Runnable.

Differences from Anonymous Classes

However, lambda expressions differ from anonymous classes in several key ways:

• Scope: Anonymous classes introduce a new scope, whereas lambdas resolve names lexically.
• State: Anonymous classes can have state (fields) and can refer to their own instances using this. Lambdas are stateless and cannot access this.
• Hierarchy: Anonymous classes can extend classes or implement interfaces. Lambdas are essentially expressions and do not introduce any additional hierarchy.

Continued Relevance of Anonymous Classes

Despite the strengths of lambdas, anonymous classes remain relevant in certain situations:

• When state needs to be managed or accessed outside the immediate method.
• When extending abstract classes or implementing multiple interfaces is required.
• When lambda expressions are not supported, such as in older versions of Java or third-party libraries.

Conclusion

Lambda expressions are a powerful tool that simplifies and enhances code readability. However, they are not a complete replacement for anonymous classes, which continue to offer certain capabilities and flexibility. The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of the software being developed.

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