Where variables of out scope is stored for lambda expressions

Question

As I know for inner and anonimous classes variables of outer scope is stored in generated bytecode (e.g. OuterClass$1.class). I would like to know where is stored variables of the next example:

public Function<Integer, Integer> curring(Integer elem) {
    return x -> x * elem;
}

Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3, 4, 5).stream().map(curring(2)).map(curring(5)).forEach(System.out::println);

Lambda is translated to methods, not classes. Does it mean that for this 2 calls would be generated 2 separate methods ?

Answer 1

This expression x -> x * elem; is going to be de-sugared to a static method, that looks like this:

  private static Integer lambda$curring$0(int x, int y){
      return x*y;
  }

Because you are capturing the elem variable inside the lambda, the lambda is said to be a stateful lambda.

On the other hand, your map operation needs an actual instance of java.util.Function - and that is generated at runtime that will kind of look like this:

 final class Test2$$Lambda$1 implements java.util.function.Function {
      private final Integer arg$1;

      private Test2$$Lambda$1(Integer arg$1){
          this.arg$1 = arg$1;
      }

      // static factory method
      private static java.util.function.Function get$Lambda(Integer i){
            return new Test2$$Lambda$1(i); // instance of self
      }

       public Integer apply(Integer x) {
          return YourClass.lambda$curring$0(this.arg$1, x);    
       }
 }

Before Function.apply (inside your map operation) is called a new instance of Test2$$Lambda$1 is generated via the static factory method get$Lambda. This is needed "carry" the elem variable.

Because of that every time map gets called a new instance is created.

Since your Stream has five initial elements, there will be 10 instances created - for the two map operations.

But generally this is an implementation detail that might easily change one day - so don't rely on it. Also the creation and collection (by garbage collector) of this short lived instances are quite cheap and it will not impact your app almost at all.