Optional class is just a Value

[Julian Hyde]

On Sep 19, 2012, at 8:47 AM, Paul Benedict <pbenedict at apache.org> wrote:

> I think the Optional class could be better named. I consider it a negative
> noun -- focusing on its ability to not contain a value.

The name made sense to me... but then I was familiar with the similar concept in Scala.

http://www.scala-lang.org/api/current/scala/Option.html

On reflection, the Scala name makes more sense. "Optional" (adjective) implies behavioral (hence usually applies to an interface) whereas "Option" (noun) implies structural.

Julian