Method References
Method references are a feature in Java 8 and later that provide a shorthand syntax for lambda expressions to call existing methods. They allow developers to refer to methods or constructors without invoking them, making code more concise and readable when working with functional interfaces. This feature is commonly used with streams, collections, and other functional programming constructs in Java.
Developers should learn method references to write cleaner and more expressive code in Java, especially when using functional interfaces like Predicate, Function, or Consumer. They are particularly useful in scenarios involving stream operations, event handling, or any context where lambda expressions would otherwise be verbose, such as sorting collections or mapping data transformations. By reducing boilerplate, method references improve code maintainability and align with modern Java best practices.