Java Optional - If Else Statements

Question

So after some reading I've seen that

if (optional.isPresent()) {
    //do smth
}

is not the preferred way to use Optional (http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/java/java8-optional-2175753.html). But if I have an if-statement like this:

if (optional.isPresent()) {
    car = getCar(optional.get());
} else {
    car = new Car();
    car.setName(carName);
}

Is this the best way to do this or is there a more recommended way?

Answer 1

You can use Optional as following.

Car car = optional.map(id -> getCar(id))
            .orElseGet(() -> {
                Car c = new Car();
                c.setName(carName);
                return c;
            });

Writing with if-else statement is imperative style and it requires the variable car to be declared before if-else block.

Using map in Optional is more functional style. And this approach doesn't need variable declaration beforehand and is recommended way of using Optional.