Java provides a feature called method
reference in Java 8. Method reference
is used to refer method of functional interface.
It is compact and easy form
of lambda expression. Each time when
you are using lambda expression to just
referring a method, you can replace your
lambda expression with method reference.
Types of Method References:
- Reference to a static method. Syntax ==> ContainingClass::staticMethodName
- Reference to an instance method. Syntax ==> containingObject::instanceMethodName
- Reference to a constructor. Syntax ==> ClassName::new Sometimes, a lambda expression only calls an existing method. In those cases,
it looks clear to refer to the existing method by name. The method references
can do this.