Optional

Explore the Optional class in Java 8 through this comprehensive Devoxx conference talk. Dive into the history, rationale, and proper usage of Optional, a controversial and often misunderstood API. Learn about its narrow but frequent problem-solving purpose, common antipatterns, and code smells. Discover recommendations for effective implementation, including methods like findGet, isPresent, orElse, map, and filter. Examine static methods, new features, and real-world examples. Gain insights from Stuart Marks, a Principal Member of Technical Staff in Oracle's Java Platform Group, as he discusses Optional's evolution, its impact on Java development, and proposed improvements for Java 9. Understand the complexities surrounding Optional's serialization and field usage, and leave with a thorough understanding of this small but significant API.