[lambda-leftovers] Underscore parameter for abstract/native methods

[Maurizio Cimadamore]

Also, pulling more on that rope, how should javadoc handle unnamed 
parameters?

Maurizio


On 25/06/17 12:06, Brian Goetz wrote:
> Good thought!
>
> Yes, unnamed parameters are entirely an implementation detail.  There’s a spectrum from local variables (pure implementation detail) to abstract methods (pure interface declaration), with public concrete methods being somewhere in the middle.
>
> Let’s say we drew the line as you suggest — outlaw _ for abstract methods.  As you say, these are interface declaration — and an unnamed parameter in an interface declaration could easily be confused for “this parameter may not be used”, which is probably not what is meant.
>
> Now, what about default methods?  Really, the same argument applies — this is an interface declaration, even though it happens to have a fallback implementation.
>
> OK, what about non private concrete methods?  Here we’re on shaky ground.  On the one hand, this is an interface too — on the other hand, it is an implementation.  But …. under what conditions would someone want to leave a parameter unnamed in a concrete method?  This really only happens when the method overrides a declaration from elsewhere.
>
> So, I think a sensible and consistent way to draw this line for method parameters would be:
>   - Only allowed in concrete class methods that override a declaration from somewhere else.
>
>
>
>> On Jun 25, 2017, at 12:51 PM, Tagir Valeev <amaembo at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hello!
>>
>> Currently in lambda-leftovers underscore is allowed as a parameter name for
>> abstract methods. This looks dubious as normally underscore means that
>> parameter is not used in the corresponding method/lambda/catch body, but
>> there's no actual body and no parameter is actually used anyways (but could
>> be used in abstract method implementations). I think, allowing underscores
>> for interface methods may encorage bad practices of defining interfaces
>> without readable parameter names:
>>
>> interface X {
>>   void doSomething(int _, long _, String _);
>> }
>>
>> Should not this be disabled?
>>
>> It's even worse for native methods, because underscore assumes that
>> parameter is not used, but it does not limit the corresponding native
>> implementation from using it.
>>
>> With best regards,
>> Tagir Valeev.