Some notes on Elvis and Other Null-Safe Operators

[Joseph D. Darcy]

Mark Mahieu wrote:
> Below are a few observations I compiled while building and testing  
> the prototype for Elvis and friends, in case they're of interest.   
> They are in note form and fairly random order, so please shout if  
> anything isn't clear.
>
> Mark
>
>
> --------
>
>
> Elvis operator can be approximated as a library method:
>
>          static <T> T elvis(T t1, T t2) { return t1 != null ? t1 : t2; }
>
> In a core-libs round table recording (at http://mail.openjdk.java.net/ 
> pipermail/core-libs-dev/2009-April/001406.html) the possibility of  
> adding core library methods for common null-handling tasks is  
> mentioned, such as throwing a standard exception if a supplied  
> argument is null (presumably similar to methods in  
> com.google.common.base.Preconditions).  Is it reasonable to implement  
> the Elvis operator as a language change but other null-handling  
> facilities as library changes?
>   

A belated reply, in general and for null handling in particular, 
addressing the problem with libraries is preferable to addressing the 
problem with a language change.

-Joe