Closure in Java 7 [closed]

Question

What is closure? It is supposed to be included in Java 7. (Closures were discussed for inclusion in Java 7, but in the end were not included. -ed) Can anyone please provide me with some reliable references from where I can learn stuff about closures?

Answer 1

A closure is a block of code that can be referenced (and passed around) with access to the variables of the enclosing scope.

Since Java 1.1, anonymous inner class have provided this facility in a highly verbose manner. They also have a restriction of only being able to use final (and definitely assigned) local variables. (Note, even non-final local variables are in scope, but cannot be used.)

Java SE 8 is intended to have a more concise version of this for single-method interfaces*, called "lambdas". Lambdas have much the same restrictions as anonymous inner classes, although some details vary randomly.

Lambdas are being developed under Project Lambda and JSR 335.

*Originally the design was more flexible allowing Single Abstract Methods (SAM) types. Unfortunately the new design is less flexible, but does attempt to justify allowing implementation within interfaces.

Answer 2

Here is Neal Gafter's blog one of the pioneers introducing closures in Java. His post on closures from January 28, 2007 is named A Definition of Closures On his blog there is lots of information to get you started as well as videos. An here is an excellent Google talk - Advanced Topics In Programming Languages - Closures For Java with Neal Gafter, as well.