How to make a lambda expression define toString in Java 8?

Question

I don't want to have a normal lambda implementing a method and redefine it's toString as a added value. I want the lambda expression implement only the toString method. I know I am not expressing it very well but I am sure you will understand me with this example.

public class LambdaToStringTest {

    public interface ToStringInterface {
        public abstract String toString();
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        print("TRACE: %s", (ToStringInterface)()->someComputation()); // <<-- ERROR: The target type of this expression must be a functional interface
    }

    private static void print(String format, Object... args) {
        System.out.println(String.format(format, args));
    }

}

It compiles if I change the name of the method but then it does not override toString so print method will not print what is expected.

This is an attempt to define a log subsystem that evaluates lambdas only when needed (when it is really going to be printed) but being compatible with non-lambda arguments. I know other ways to achieve it but I wonder why I can't do it this way and if there is a workaround or I am doing something wrong,

Answer 1

Short answer, you can't. @FunctionalInterfaces cannot be used to "override" methods from Object.

You can implement Formattable however, with a virtual extension method. Note: code below is UNTESTED:

@FunctionalInterface
public interface ToStringInterface
    extends Formattable
{
    String asString();

    @Override
    default void formatTo(Formatter formatter, int flags, int width, int precision)
    {
        formatter.format("%s", this);
        // Or maybe even better:
        formatter.out().append(this.asString());
    }
}

I propose this solution since you are using String.format() which makes use of this interface.

Or you can just define your own interface. Or even write a wrapper for this interface which calls .toString() in .asString(). Choices are many.