Reactor Spring WebFlux: Explain please difference between last() and takeLast() methods

Question

Can anybody explain me difference between last() and takeLast() methods ? As documentation tell:

last() - Emit the last element observed before complete signal as a Mono, or emit NoSuchElementException error if the source was empty. For a passive version use takeLast(int)

takeLast() - Emit the last N values this Flux emitted before its completion.

As for me it's the same. I can not understand the differences. Can someone explain me with a simple example? Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Kirill,

takeLast(int n) accepts integer indicating how many elements should be left in the stream Example:

Flux.just(1, 2, 3, 4)
        .takeLast(3)
        .subscribe(System.out::println);

Will result with

234

Meanwhile, last() method is only about the very last emitted element.

Flux.just(1, 2, 3, 4)
        .last()
        .subscribe(System.out::print);

The output is

4

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Conclusion: takeLast(1) equals to last()