What methods should go into a java.util.Objects class in JDK 7?

Joe Darcy Joe.Darcy at Sun.COM
Fri Oct 2 04:23:55 UTC 2009


Joe Darcy wrote:
> Joe Darcy wrote:
>> Stephen Colebourne wrote:
>>> Joe Darcy wrote:
>>>> What other utility methods would have broad enough use and 
>>>> applicability to go into a common java.util class?
>>>
>>> Joe,
>>> You've asked for a call for ideas, but not given any indication of 
>>> process. Are you going to evaluate everything that comes in and pick 
>>> the best a la Coin? Or allow anyone to send in patches? 
>>
>> Those options are not mutually exclusive; patches are welcome subject 
>> to the usual terms and conditions.
>>
>>> Who decides what is in and what is out?
>>
>> This is a little side project of mine and I wanted to get some 
>> feedback before preparing a formal change for review, possibly 
>> including patches from others.
>>
>> -Joe
>
> I'm getting caught up after the JVM Languages Summit and will post 
> some java.util.Objects code for review in the near future.
>
> -Joe

Below is a patch implementing the methods I think should go into 
java.util.Objects as a first cut:

* null safe two-argument equals method
* null safe hashCode(Object) returning 0 for null
* null safe toString(Object), returning "null" for a null argument
* null tolerating compare method; tests if both arguments are == and if 
not calls compare

The need for the last of these in Objects isn't quite as clear.

Var-arg-ifying some of the existing methods in Arrays, 
(hashCode(Object[]), deepHashCode(Object[]) and toString(Object[])), is 
probably worthwhile but can be done separately.

I wouldn't oppose a toDebugString(Object) method going into the platform 
somewhere, but I don't think it necessarily belongs in Objects.

Further below is the code for an annotation processor which finds 
candidate equals methods to be replaced with Objects.equals.  It found 
over half a dozen good candidates in the jdk repository.  To run the 
annotation processor, first compile the class and then run it with javac 
similar to this:

javac -proc:only -processor EqualsFinder -processorpath <path to 
processor> sources

-Joe

--- old/make/java/java/FILES_java.gmk    2009-10-01 21:04:12.000000000 -0700
+++ new/make/java/java/FILES_java.gmk    2009-10-01 21:04:12.000000000 -0700
@@ -258,6 +258,7 @@
     java/util/ServiceConfigurationError.java \
     java/util/Timer.java \
     java/util/TimerTask.java \
+    java/util/Objects.java \
     java/util/UUID.java \
     java/util/concurrent/AbstractExecutorService.java \
     java/util/concurrent/ArrayBlockingQueue.java \
--- /dev/null    2009-08-12 17:12:33.000000000 -0700
+++ new/src/share/classes/java/util/Objects.java    2009-10-01 
21:04:13.000000000 -0700
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+ *
+ * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation.  Sun designates this
+ * particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
+ * by Sun in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
+ *
+ * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+ * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+ * accompanied this code).
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License 
version
+ * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+ * Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ *
+ * Please contact Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara,
+ * CA 95054 USA or visit www.sun.com if you need additional information or
+ * have any questions.
+ */
+
+package java.util;
+
+/**
+ * This class consists of {@code static} utility methods for operating
+ * on objects.
+ */
+public class Objects {
+    private Objects() {
+        throw new AssertionError("No java.util.Objects instances for 
you!");
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns {@code true} if the arguments are equal to each other
+     * and {@code false} otherwise.
+     * Consequently, if both arguments are {@code null} {@code true}
+     * is returned and if exactly one argument is {@code null} {@code
+     * false} is returned.  Otherwise, equality is determined by using
+     * the {@link Object#equals equals} method of the first
+     * argument.
+     *
+     * @return {@code true} if the arguments are equal to each other
+     * and {@code false} otherwise
+     * @see Object#equals(Object)
+     * @since 1.7
+     */
+    public static boolean equals(Object a, Object b) {
+        return (a == b) || (a != null && a.equals(b));
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the hash code of a non-{@code null} argument and 0 for
+     * a {@code null} argument.
+     *
+     * @return the hash code of a non-{@code null} argument and 0 for
+     * a {@code null} argument
+     * @see Object#hashCode
+     * @since 1.7
+     */
+    public static int hashCode(Object o) {
+        return o != null ? o.hashCode() : 0;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the result of calling {@code toString} for a non-{@code
+     * null} argument and {@code "null"} for a {@code null} argument.
+     *
+     * @return the result of calling {@code toString} for a non-{@code
+     * null} argument and {@code "null"} for a {@code null} argument
+     * @see Object#toString
+     * @since 1.7
+     */
+    public static String toString(Object o) {
+        return (o != null) ? o.toString() : "null" ;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns 0 if the arguments are identical and {@code
+     * c.compare(a, b)} otherwise.
+     * Consequently, if both arguments are {@code null} 0
+     * is returned.
+     *
+     * @return 0 if the arguments are identical and {@code
+     * c.compare(a, b)} otherwise.
+     * @see Comparable
+     * @see Comparator
+     * @since 1.7
+     */
+    public static <T> int compare(T a, T b, Comparator<? super T> c) {
+        return (a == b) ? 0 :  c.compare(a, b);
+    }
+}
--- /dev/null    2009-08-12 17:12:33.000000000 -0700
+++ new/test/java/util/Objects/BasicObjectsTest.java    2009-10-01 
21:04:14.000000000 -0700
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+ *
+ * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation.
+ *
+ * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+ * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+ * accompanied this code).
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License 
version
+ * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+ * Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ *
+ * Please contact Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara,
+ * CA 95054 USA or visit www.sun.com if you need additional information or
+ * have any questions.
+ */
+
+
+/*
+ * @test
+ * @bug 6797535
+ * @summary Basic tests for methods in java.util.Objects
+ * @author  Joseph D. Darcy
+ */
+
+import java.util.*;
+
+public class BasicObjectsTest {
+    public static void main(String... args) {
+        int errors = 0;
+        errors += testEquals();
+        errors += testHashCode();
+        errors += testToString();
+        errors += testCompare();
+        if (errors > 0 )
+            throw new RuntimeException();
+    }
+
+    private static int testEquals() {
+        int errors = 0;
+        Object[] values = {null, "42", 42};
+       
+        for(int i = 0; i < values.length; i++)
+            for(int j = 0; j < values.length; j++) {
+                boolean expected = (i == j);
+                Object a = values[i];
+                Object b = values[j];
+                boolean result = Objects.equals(a, b);
+                if (result != expected) {
+                    errors++;
+                    System.err.printf("When equating %s to %s, got %b 
intead of %b%n.",
+                                      a, b, result, expected);
+                }
+            }
+        return errors;
+    }
+
+    private static int testHashCode() {
+        int errors = 0;
+        errors += (Objects.hashCode(null) == 0 ) ? 0 : 1;
+        String s = "42";
+        errors += (Objects.hashCode(s) == s.hashCode() ) ? 0 : 1;
+        return errors;
+    }
+
+    private static int testToString() {
+        int errors = 0;
+        errors += ("null".equals(Objects.toString(null)) ) ? 0 : 1;
+        String s = "Some string";
+        errors += (s.equals(Objects.toString(s)) ) ? 0 : 1;
+        return errors;
+    }
+
+    private static int testCompare() {
+        int errors = 0;
+        String[] values = {"e. e. cummings", "zzz"};
+        String[] VALUES = {"E. E. Cummings", "ZZZ"};
+       
+        errors += compareTest(null, null, 0);
+       
+        for(int i = 0; i < values.length; i++) {
+            String a = values[i];
+            errors += compareTest(a, a, 0);
+            for(int j = 0; j < VALUES.length; j++) {
+                int expected = Integer.compare(i, j);
+                String b = VALUES[j];
+                errors += compareTest(a, b, expected);
+            }
+        }
+        return errors;
+    }
+
+    private static int compareTest(String a, String b, int expected) {
+        int errors = 0;
+        int result = Objects.compare(a, b, String.CASE_INSENSITIVE_ORDER);
+        if (Integer.signum(result) != Integer.signum(expected)) {
+            errors++;
+            System.err.printf("When comaping %s to %s, got %d intead of 
%d%n.",
+                              a, b, result, expected);
+               
+        }
+        return errors;
+    }
+}


/*
 * Copyright 2009 Sun Microsystems, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
 * are met:
 *
 *   - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *
 *   - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
 *     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
 *     documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
 *
 *   - Neither the name of Sun Microsystems nor the names of its
 *     contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
 *     from this software without specific prior written permission.
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS
 * IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
 * THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
 * PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR
 * CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
 * EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
 * PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
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 * NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
 * SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 */

import java.util.Set;
import java.util.EnumSet;

import javax.annotation.processing.*;
import javax.lang.model.SourceVersion;
import javax.lang.model.element.*;
import javax.lang.model.type.*;
import javax.lang.model.util.*;
import static javax.lang.model.SourceVersion.*;
import static javax.lang.model.element.Modifier.*;
import static javax.lang.model.element.ElementKind.*;
import static javax.lang.model.type.TypeKind.*;
import static javax.lang.model.util.ElementFilter.*;
import static javax.tools.Diagnostic.Kind.*;

@SupportedAnnotationTypes("*")     // Process (check) everything
@SupportedSourceVersion(SourceVersion.RELEASE_6)
public class EqualsFinder extends AbstractProcessor {
    private EqualsFinder0 equalsFinder;

    public EqualsFinder() {super();}
   
    @Override
   public boolean process(Set<? extends TypeElement> annotations,
                          RoundEnvironment roundEnv) {
        if (!roundEnv.processingOver()) {
            for (Element element : roundEnv.getRootElements() )
                equalsFinder.find(element);
        }
        return false; // Allow other processors to examine files too.
    }

    @Override
    public void init(ProcessingEnvironment processingEnv) {
        super.init(processingEnv);
        equalsFinder = new EqualsFinder0(processingEnv);
    }


    private static class EqualsFinder0 {
        private final Messager messager;
        private final Elements eltUtils;

        EqualsScanner equalsScanner = new EqualsScanner();

        EqualsFinder0(ProcessingEnvironment processsingEnv) {
            this.messager  = processsingEnv.getMessager();
            this.eltUtils = processsingEnv.getElementUtils();
        }
       
        public void find(Element e) {
            equalsScanner.scan(e);
        }

        /**
         * Visitor to implement name checks.
         */
       private class EqualsScanner extends ElementScanner6<Void, Void> {

            /**
             * Check the name of an executable (method, constructor,
             * etc.) and its type parameters.
             */
            @Override
            public Void visitExecutable(ExecutableElement e, Void p) {
                // Check the name of the executable
                if (e.getKind() == METHOD) {
                    Name name = e.getSimpleName();
                    if (name.contentEquals("equals") &&
                        e.getModifiers().contains(Modifier.STATIC) &&
                        e.getParameters().size() == 2)  {
                        messager.printMessage(NOTE, "Possible 
Objects.equals replacement.", e);
                        eltUtils.printElements(new 
java.io.OutputStreamWriter(System.out) , e);
                    }
                }
                return null;
            }
       }
    }
}




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