Java Lambda Expression And Variable Scope

The body of a lambda expression in Java does not define a new scope; the lambda expression scope is the same as the enclosing scope.

Let's see it with an example, if there is already a declared variable i and lambda expression body declares a local variable i too, that will result in compiler error "Lambda expression's local variable i cannot re-declare another local variable defined in an enclosing scope"

Effectively Final in Java

When a lambda expression uses an assigned local variable from its enclosing space there is an important restriction; Lambda expression in Java may only use local variable whose value doesn't change. That restriction is referred as "variable capture" which is described as; lambda expression capture values, not variables. The local variables that a lambda expression may use are known as effectively final.

An effectively final variable is one whose value does not change after it is first assigned. There is no need to explicitly declare such a variable as final, although doing so would not be an error.

Let's see it with an example, we have a local variable i which is initialized with the value 7, with in the lambda expression we are trying to change that value by assigning a new value to i. This will result in compiler error- "Local variable i defined in an enclosing scope must be final or effectively final"

this() and super() with lambda expression in Java

this and super references with in a lambda expression are the same as in the enclosing context. Since a lambda expression does not define a new scope, the this keyword with in a lambda expression signifies the this parameter of the method where the lambda expression is residing.

@FunctionalInterface
interface IFuncInt {
  int func(int num1, int num2);
  public String toString();
}

public class LambdaVarDemo {
  public static void main(String[] args){                
    LambdaVarDemo lambdaDemo = new LambdaVarDemo();
    lambdaDemo.getResult();
  }
    
  public void getResult(){
    IFuncInt funcInt = (num1, num2) -> {
      System.out.println("calling toString " + this.toString());
      return num1 + num2;        
    };
    System.out.println("Result is " + funcInt.func(6, 7));
  }
    
  @Override
  public String toString() {
    System.out.println("in class LambdaVarDemo toString()" );
    return super.toString();
  }
}

Output

in class LambdaVarDemo toString()
calling toString org.netjs.examples1.LambdaVarDemo@12c9b19
Result is 13

Here it can be seen that the expression this.toString() calls the toString method of the LambdaVarDemo object, not the toString() method of the IFuncInt instance. Please note that a functional interface may have the Object class public methods too in addition to the abstract method.

That's all for this topic Java Lambda Expression And Variable Scope. If you have any doubt or any suggestions to make please drop a comment. Thanks!

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Related Topics

1. Lambda Expressions in Java 8
2. Functional Interfaces in Java
3. How to Fix The Target Type of This Expression Must be a Functional Interface Error
4. Java Lambda Expression And Exception Handling
5. Java Lambda Expressions Interview Questions

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