How to Create a Generic Function for Different Classes in Java

Discover how to streamline your Java code by creating a `generic function` to handle null checks across different classes.
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Streamlining Your Java Code: Creating a Generic Function for Different Classes

In Java programming, repetitive code can clutter your application and make it difficult to maintain. This is particularly evident when handling similar cases in switch statements. If you’ve found yourself copying and pasting similar logic for different types, it’s time to consider a more efficient solution. In this guide, we’ll look at how to extract common functionality into a generic method that can be reused for various classes, ultimately making your code cleaner and easier to manage.

The Problem: Redundant Code in Switch Statements

Let’s consider a common scenario: when dealing with different classes that require the same null-check functionality. Here’s a brief look at the original code that creates redundancy due to repeated logic in a switch statement:

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In this code, the same null-check logic is repeated for two different classes: Form and Note. This duplication can lead to a maintenance nightmare, especially as the codebase grows. How can we simplify this?

The Solution: Creating a Generic Method

To eliminate the repetition, we can extract the common functionality into a reusable generic method. This method can handle different types while performing the same null-check. Here’s how you can implement it:

Step 1: Define the Generic Method

First, we need to define a generic method that generates a Function to check for null values. This method will accept any type T and return a function that checks if the object is null. If it is null, it throws a custom exception.

Here’s the code for the generic method:

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Step 2: Use the Generic Method

Now that we have our generic method, we can use it in our switch statement for both classes. The updated code looks like this:

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Step 3: Simplifying Further with Standard Java Functions

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Conclusion

By consolidating duplicate logic into a single generic function, you make your codebase cleaner, more maintainable, and less error-prone. This approach can be extended to other similar situations in your code, ensuring that you apply the DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principle effectively.

Next time you encounter similar redundancy, remember to consider a generic method design that promotes reuse and clarity. Happy coding!