Why are local variables not declared final in most open source java projects?

Question

If I look at the java source source code in the OpenJDK or Hibernate or Apache I have yet to see any local variables declared final.

This suggests that the developers of some of the most widely used java software libraries:

• do not believe the final keyword improves readablity.

• do not believe it significantly improves performance.

Why do the majority of contrbuters on stackoverflow believe it it should be used (based on the highest voted responses)?

Answer 1

Probably because it's a hassle to type in the five LONG letters in the word final... why would they go through the pain of writing

final int x;

when it's twice as much typing as

int x;

?

We developers are lazy, you know... :P

Answer 2

do not believe the final keyword improves readablity.

Some people (such as myself) find excessive finals decreases readability.

do not believe it significantly improves performance.

final local variables does not improve performance.