Java 8 is the latest Java platform made of new features, bug fixes, and enhancements along with improved efficiency for developing and running Java programs. The changes in Java 8 confirm that Java will stay at the top priority for web developers to consider creating enterprise-level applications. The versatility of Java as a programming language is undeniable and developers across the globe prefer using this platform to create a comprehensive range of applications. Java 8 introduces lots of updates and it is important for you as a developer to understand them to produce fascinating end products. Are looking for Java8 jobs? It’s time to get a clear view of the Java8 interview questions and you can give life a new start.
Lambda expressions
This Java 8 feature helps web developers to write their code in a functional style, providing them with a clear and short way of implementing a single abstract method or SAM interface through an expression. It is quite effective in the compilation library, helping to repeat, extract, and filter data.Method references
It is useful for referring to the functional interface method. Java 8 method reference can be considered as an easy and compact form of the lambda expression. Whenever you use the lambda expression to refer a method, you can consider replacing it with method reference.Optional
A new grade optional is introduced in Java 8, used for dealing with the null pointer exception. You need to import the Java.util package to activate this grade. It will provide you with methods for checking the presence of value for a specific variable.Functional interface
An interface that comprises a single abstract method is called a functional interface. The default as well as static methods can be present in any number. It may declare object class methods as well.Date APIs
Date API is a significant change in Java 8, replacing the Joda time library. It borrows considerably from the Joda time library, rectifying problems found with the Joda time library. You can get the Date API from the java.time package.Stream interface
Stream interface is a major change in Java 8, offering parallel operation in comparison with using an iterator. And do not create confusion by comparing it with input and output stream. Stream interface involves a variety of stream operations such as map, filter, and match, sorted, reduce, count, etc. streams can be integrated with the lambda expression for more effective use.Annotations
In Java 8, annotations function as metadata and are used as information regarding deployment time, runtime processing, or compile-time processing. Repeatable annotation is possible with Java 8, meaning developers can use annotations that are already declared. To accomplish that, @repeatable annotations need to be used within another annotation.Nashorn
It is a new engine of JavaScript in Java 8, replacing the old Oracle JVM. Nashorn is designed to enhance the JavaScript code execution, allowing developers to use their code without concern about performance issues. To run JavaScript from Java, you need to consider importing two libraries 1) javax.script.ScriptEngine and 2) javax.script.ScripEngineManager. Other updates were made to the JavaScript scripting like using the engine.eval method for evaluating JavaScript.Other important changes in Java 8
Java 8 has come with so many vital changes and it is almost impossible to cover each of them. However, some other significant changes that one needs to know are as follows:- JDBC 4.2
- Concurrent accumulators
- Changes in JavaFX
- Plenty of security updates
- Reworked tools
- Improved concurrency handling
- DocTree AP