Pattern Matching: Small Enhancement or Major Feature?

#JavaZone #PatternMatching @hannotify @PeterWessels
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Matching
Small Enhancement or Major Feature?
Small Enhancement or Major Feature?
Hanno Embregts
Peter Wessels
@hannotify
@PeterWessels

Small Enhancement
Small Enhancement
Small Enhancement
Small Enhancement
Small Enhancement
https://gph.is/g/ZPJNoPQ

Major Feature
Major Feature
Major Feature
Major Feature
Major Feature
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DefiantElasticGadwall.webp

Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Matching for
Matching for
Matching for
Matching for
Matching for
instanceof
instanceof
instanceof
instanceof
instanceof
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/752901

Instanceof-and-cast
Instanceof-and-cast
if (product instanceof Guitar) {
Guitar lesPaul =
(Guitar) product;
// use lesPaul
}
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Instanceof-and-cast
Instanceof-and-cast
if (product instanceof Guitar) { // 1. is product a Guitar?
1
Guitar lesPaul =
2
(Guitar) product;
3
// use lesPaul
4
}
5

Instanceof-and-cast
Instanceof-and-cast
(Guitar) product; // 2. perform conversion
1
Guitar lesPaul =
2
3
// use lesPaul
4
}
5

Instanceof-and-cast
Instanceof-and-cast
Guitar lesPaul = // 3. declare variable, bind value
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// use lesPaul
4
}
5

Improve the situation
Guitar lesPaul = // 3. declare variable, bind value
// use lesPaul
}
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if (product instanceof Guitar lesPaul) {
1
2 // use lesPaul
3 }

Type pattern
Type pattern
Type pattern
Type pattern
Type pattern
Consists of a predicate that specifies a type,
along with a single binding variable.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-white-chalk-625219/

Pattern matching
Pattern matching
Pattern matching
Pattern matching
Pattern matching
Allows the conditional extraction of
components from objects to be expressed more
concisely and safely.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-white-chalk-625219/

Demo
Demo
Simplify implementation of equals

Declaring 'in the middle'
Declaring 'in the middle'
if (product instanceof Guitar lesPaul) {
// use lesPaul
}
1
2
3

Scoping
Scoping
Pattern binding variable ('flow scoping')
Pattern binding variable ('flow scoping')
The set of places where it would definitely be assigned.
if (product instanceof Guitar lesPaul && lesPaul.isInTune()) {
// can use lesPaul here
} else {
// can't use lesPaul here
}
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Benefits
Benefits
Nearly 100% of casts will just disappear!
More concise

It's a kind of Pattern
pattern example
type pattern Guitar lesPaul

Feature Status
Feature Status
Java version Feature status JEP
14 Preview
15 Second preview
16 Final
JEP 305
JEP 375
JEP 394

Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Matching for
Matching for
Matching for
Matching for
Matching for
switch
switch
switch
switch
switch

String apply(Effect effect) {
String formatted = "";
if (effect instanceof Delay) {
Delay de = (Delay) effect;
formatted = String.format("Delay active of %d ms.", de.getTimeInMs());
} else if (effect instanceof Reverb) {
Reverb re = (Reverb) effect;
formatted = String.format("Reverb active of type %s and roomSize %d.", re.getName(
} else if (effect instanceof Overdrive) {
Overdrive ov = (Overdrive) effect;
formatted = String.format("Overdrive active with gain %d.", ov.getGain());
} else if (effect instanceof Tremolo) {
Tremolo tr = (Tremolo) effect;
formatted = String.format("Tremolo active with depth %d and rate %d.", tr.getDepth
} else if (effect instanceof Tuner) {
Tuner tu = (Tuner) effect;
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g ( yp , g (
formatted = String.format("Tuner active with pitch %d. Muting all signal!", tu.get
formatted = el.getEffects().stream().map(this::apply).collect(Collectors.joining(S
formatted = String.format("Unknown effect active: %s.", effect);
} else if (effect instanceof Overdrive) {
9
Overdrive ov = (Overdrive) effect;
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11
} else if (effect instanceof Tremolo) {
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Tremolo tr = (Tremolo) effect;
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} else if (effect instanceof Tuner) {
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Tuner tu = (Tuner) effect;
16
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} else if (effect instanceof EffectLoop) {
18
EffectLoop el = (EffectLoop) effect;
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} else {
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}
23

String formatted = "";
if (effect instanceof Delay de) {
} else if (effect instanceof Reverb re) {
} else if (effect instanceof Overdrive ov) {
} else if (effect instanceof Tremolo tr) {
} else if (effect instanceof Tuner tu) {
} else if (effect instanceof EffectLoop el) {
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2
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4 formatted = String.format("Delay active of %d ms.", de.getTimeInMs());
5
6 formatted = String.format("Reverb active of type %s and roomSize %d.", re.getName(
7
8 formatted = String.format("Overdrive active with gain %d.", ov.getGain());
9
10 formatted = String.format("Tremolo active with depth %d and rate %d.", tr.getDepth
11
12 formatted = String.format("Tuner active with pitch %d. Muting all signal!", tu.get
13
14 formatted = el.getEffects().stream().map(this::apply).collect(Collectors.joining(S
15 } else {
16 formatted = String format("Unknown effect active: %s " effect);

formatted = String.format( Delay active of %d ms. , de.getTimeInMs());
formatted = String.format("Reverb active of type %s and roomSize %d.", re.getName(
formatted = String.format("Tuner active with pitch %d. Muting all signal!", tu.get
formatted = el.getEffects().stream().map(this::apply).collect(Collectors.joining(S
formatted = String.format("Unknown effect active: %s.", effect);
4
} else if (effect instanceof Reverb re) {
5
6
} else if (effect instanceof Overdrive ov) {
7
8
} else if (effect instanceof Tremolo tr) {
9
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} else if (effect instanceof Tuner tu) {
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} else if (effect instanceof EffectLoop el) {
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} else {
15
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}
17
return formatted;
18
}
19

Switch expression
Switch expression
1 String apply(Effect effect) {
2 return switch(effect) {
3 default -> String.format("Unknown effect active: %s.", effect);
4 };
5 }

Switch expression
Switch expression
case Delay de -> String.format("Delay active of %d ms.", de.getTimeInMs());
case Reverb re -> String.format("Reverb active of type %s and roomSize %d.", re
1
return switch(effect) {
2
3
4
6 };
7 }

Switch expression
Switch expression
1 String apply(Effect effect) {
3 case Delay de -> String.format("Delay active of %d ms.", de.getTimeInMs());
4 case Reverb re -> String.format("Reverb active of type %s and roomSize %d.", r
5 case Overdrive ov -> String.format("Overdrive active with gain %d.", ov.getGain()
6 case Tremolo tr -> String.format("Tremolo active with depth %d and rate %d.", t
7 case Tuner tu -> String.format("Tuner active with pitch %d. Muting all signal
9 };
10 }

Switch expression
Switch expression
case EffectLoop el -> el.getEffects().stream().map(this::apply).collect(Collectors
1
2
3
case Reverb re -> String.format("Reverb active of type %s and roomSize %d.", r
4
case Overdrive ov -> String.format("Overdrive active with gain %d.", ov.getGain()
5
case Tremolo tr -> String.format("Tremolo active with depth %d and rate %d.", t
6
case Tuner tu -> String.format("Tuner active with pitch %d. Muting all signal
7
8
10 };
11 }

Switch expression
Switch expression
default -> String.format("Unknown effect active: %s.", effect);
};
}
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Sensible operations to the effect loop
Sensible operations to the effect loop
apply()
setVolume(int volume)
contains(Effect... effect)

Nonsensical operations to the effect
Nonsensical operations to the effect
loop
loop
isTunerActive()
isDelayTimeEqualToReverbRoomSize()
isToneSuitableToPlayPrideInTheNameOfLove()

Switch expression
Switch expression
static String apply(Effect effect) {
case EffectLoop el -> el.getEffects().stream().map(Effect::apply).collect(Collecto
};
}
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Benefits of pattern matching
Benefits of pattern matching
No need for the Visitor pattern or a common supertype
A single expression instead of many assignments
Less error-prone (in adding cases)
More concise
Safer - the compiler can check for missing cases

But what if
But what if effect
effect is
is null
null?
?
return switch(effect) { // throws NullPointerException!
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};
10
}
11

Combining case labels
Combining case labels
case null, default -> String.format("Unknown or malfunctioning effect active: %s."
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};
10
}
11

Demo
Demo
Guarded patterns

pattern example
guarded pattern Tuner tu &&

!tu.isInTune(guitar)

Feature Status
Feature Status
17 Preview
18 Second preview

JEP 406
JEP 420

Deconstruction
Deconstruction
Deconstruction
Deconstruction
Deconstruction
Patterns
Patterns
Patterns
Patterns
Patterns

Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
We can't tell you when the following features
are coming to Java.
Also: syntax and
implementation specifics may still change.

Deconstruction patterns
};
}
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case Overdrive(int gain) -> String.format("Overdrive active with gain %d.", gain);
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};
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}
11

Pattern definition
Pattern definition
public class Overdrive implements Effect {
private final int gain;
public Overdrive(int gain) {
this.gain = gain;
}
}
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Pattern definition
Pattern definition
1 public class Overdrive implements Effect {
2 private final int gain;
3
4 public Overdrive(int gain) {
5 this.gain = gain;
6 }
7
public pattern Overdrive(int gain) {
8
gain = this.gain;
9
}
10
11 }

case Delay(int timeInMs) -> String.format("Delay active of %d ms.", timeInMs);
case Reverb(String name, int roomSize) -> String.format("Reverb active of type %s
case Tremolo(int depth, int rate) -> String.format("Tremolo active with depth %d a
case Tuner(int pitchInHz) -> String.format("Tuner active with pitch %d. Muting all
case EffectLoop(Set<Effect> effects) -> effects.stream().map(this::apply).collect(
};
}
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Pattern composition
Pattern composition
static boolean isDelayTimeEqualToReverbRoomSize(EffectLoop effectLoop) {
}
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3

Pattern composition
Pattern composition
if (effectLoop instanceof EffectLoop(Delay(int timeInMs), Reverb(String name, int roomS
return timeInMs == roomSize;
1
2
3
}
4
return false;
5
6 }

Pattern composition
Pattern composition
1 static boolean isDelayTimeEqualToReverbRoomSize(EffectLoop effectLoop) {
2 return effectLoop.getEffects().stream()
3 .filter(e -> e instanceof Delay || e instanceof Reverb)
4 .map(dr -> {
5 if (dr instanceof Delay d) {
6 return d.getTimeInMs();
} else {
7
Reverb r = (Reverb) dr;
8
return r.getRoomSize();
9
}
10
11
}).distinct().count() == 1;
12
13 }

pattern example
deconstruction pattern Delay(int timeInMs)


Var and any patterns
// Pre-Java 10
Guitar telecaster = new Guitar("Fender Telecaster Baritone Blacktop", GuitarType.TELECASTER
// Java 10
var telecaster = new Guitar("Fender Telecaster Baritone Blacktop", GuitarType.TELECASTER);
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https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/286
https://openjdk.java.net/jeps/286

if (effectLoop instanceof EffectLoop(Delay(int timeInMs), Reverb(String name, int roomS
}
return false;
}
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if (effectLoop instanceof EffectLoop(Delay(var timeInMs), Reverb(var name, var roomSize
1
2
3
}
4
return false;
5
}
6

http://gph.is/2lFlHIK

if (effectLoop instanceof EffectLoop(Delay(var timeInMs), Reverb(_, var roomSize))) {
}
return false;
}
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Optimization
Optimization
case EffectLoop(var effects) -> effects.stream().map(Effect::apply).collect(Collec
};
}
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Optimization
Optimization
1 static String apply(Effect effect) {
3 // ...
4 case EffectLoop(var effects) -> effects.stream().map(Effect::apply).collect(Collect
6 };
7 }

Optimization
Optimization
case EffectLoop(Tuner(int pitchInHz), _) -> String.format("The EffectLoop contains
1
2
// ...
3
4
5 case EffectLoop(var effects) -> effects.stream().map(Effect::apply).collect(Collect
7 };
8 }

Benefits
Benefits
Better encapsulation

a case branch only receives data that it actually references.
More elegant logic

by using pattern composition
Optimization

through the use of any patterns

pattern example
var pattern var timeInMs


pattern example
any pattern _


Feature Status
Feature Status
n/a Exploratory document

Pattern Matching for Java
https://cr.openjdk.java.net/~briangoetz/amber/pattern-match.html

Pattern Matching Plays Nice
Pattern Matching Plays Nice
With
With
Sealed Types
Sealed Types
Sealed Types
Sealed Types
Sealed Types
and Records
and Records
and Records
and Records
and Records

Demo
Demo
Make Effect a sealed type

Sealed types yield completeness
};
}
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12


1
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3
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7
8
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10 };
11 }

Records
Records
Input:
Input:
Commit to the class being a transparent carrier for its data.
Output:
Output:
constructors
accessor methods
equals()-implementation
hashCode()-implementation
toString()-implementation
deconstruction pattern

Array patterns
Array patterns
record EffectLoop(String name, int volume, Effect... effects) { }
1
static String apply(EffectLoop effectLoop) {}
return switch(effectLoop) {
case EffectLoop(var name, var volume) -> "Effect loop contains no effects.";
}
}
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Array patterns
Array patterns
1
case EffectLoop(_, _, var effect) -> "Effect loop contains exactly one effect.";
1
2
3
4
5 }
6 }

Array patterns
Array patterns
1
case EffectLoop(_, _, var effect, ...) -> "Effect loop contains more than one effec
1
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5
6 }
7 }

Array patterns
Array patterns
1
case EffectLoop(_, _, var effect, ...) -> "Effect loop contains more than one effec
case EffectLoop(_, _, var effect1, var effect2) -> "Effect loop contains exactly tw
case EffectLoop(_, _, var effect1, var effect2, ...) -> "Effect loop contains more
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 }
9 }

pattern example
array pattern EffectLoop(var name, var effect, ...)
.. ..
any pattern _

Feature Status
Feature Status
Sealed Types
Sealed Types
15 Preview
16 Second preview
17 Final
JEP 360
JEP 397
JEP 409

Feature Status
Feature Status
Completeness
Completeness
17 Preview
18 Second preview

JEP 406
JEP 420

Feature Status
Feature Status
Record Patterns
Record Patterns
n/a Preview JEP 405

A Better
A Better
A Better
A Better
A Better
Serialization?
Serialization?
Serialization?
Serialization?
Serialization?

Here be dragons!
Here be dragons!
Here be dragons!
Here be dragons!
Here be dragons!
We can't be sure at all that the following
features will appear in Java as depicted.
They
can change a lot in the meantime.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/dragon-festival-during-nighttime-6068535/

Opposites
Opposites
Deconstruction pattern
Deconstruction pattern
transforms an object into a set of typed fields
Constructor
Constructor
transforms a set of typed fields into an object

Serialization
Serialization
very important feature
but many people hate its current implementation
Drawbacks
Drawbacks
it undermines the accessibility model
serialization logic is not 'readable code'
it bypasses constructors and data validation

Serialization
Serialization
public class EffectLoop implements Effect {
private String name;
private Set<Effect> effects;
public EffectLoop(String name) {
this.name = name;
this.effects = new HashSet<>();
}
}
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Serialization
Serialization
1 public class EffectLoop implements Effect {
2 private String name;
3 private Set<Effect> effects;
4
5 public EffectLoop(String name) {
6 this.name = name;
7 this.effects = new HashSet<>();
8 }
9
public pattern EffectLoop(String name, Effect[] effects) {
10
name = this.name;
11
effects = this.effects.toArray();
12
}
13
14 }

Serialization
Serialization
public EffectLoop(String name, Effect[] effects) {
this(name);
for (Effect effect : effects) {
this.effects.add(effect);
}
this.name = name;
6
7
}
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 }
16
17 public pattern EffectLoop(String name, Effect[] effects) {
18 name = this.name;
19 effects = this.effects.toArray();
}
20
21 }

Serialization
Serialization
public class EffectLoop implements Effect {
private String name;
private Set<Effect> effects;
public EffectLoop(String name) {
this.name = name;
}
@Deserializer
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10
11 public EffectLoop(String name, Effect[] effects) {
12 this(name);
13 for (Effect effect : effects) {
14 this.effects.add(effect);
15 }
16 }

Some challenges remain
Some challenges remain
Q:
Q: How to support multiple versions of one class?
How to support multiple versions of one class?
A: @Serializer and @Deserializer annotations could get a
property version in the future.

Feature Status
Feature Status
Java
version
Feature status JEP
n/a Exploratory
document

Towards Better
Serialization
https://cr.openjdk.java.net/~briangoetz/amber/serialization.html

Future
Future
Future
Future
Future
Expansions
Expansions
Expansions
Expansions
Expansions

Here be super dragons!
We can't be sure that the following features will
appear in Java as depicted, if at all.

Proceed with caution!
https://www.pexels.com/photo/dragon-festival-during-nighttime-6068535/

Pattern bind statements

var reverb = new Reverb("ChamberReverb", 2);
__let Reverb(String name, int roomSize) = reverb;
// do something with name & roomSize
1
2
3
4
5

else throw new IllegalArgumentException("not a Reverb!");
var reverb = new Reverb("ChamberReverb", 2);
1
2
__let Reverb(String name, int roomSize) = reverb;
3
4
5
6 // do something with name & roomSize

Other ideas
Other ideas

AND patterns:

PatternOne&PatternTwo
Patterns in catch clauses:

(will most likely complement multi-catch blocks)
Collection patterns
https://mail.openjdk.java.net/pipermail/amber-spec-experts/2021-January/002758.html
https://mail.openjdk.java.net/pipermail/amber-spec-experts/2021-January/002758.html

Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Pattern
Contexts
Contexts
Contexts
Contexts
Contexts

Pattern Contexts
Pattern Contexts
Pattern context Example Purpose
instanceof
predicate
product instanceof Guitar
guitar
Test if target matches the indicated
pattern.
switch statement
or expression
switch (effect) {

case Delay d ->

}
Test if target matches one (or more)
of the indicated patterns.
bind statement __let Reverb(var name, var
roomSize) = reverb;
Destructure a target using a pattern.

Wrap-up
Wrap-up
Wrap-up
Wrap-up
Wrap-up

Pattern matching...
Pattern matching...
is a rich feature arc that will play out over several versions.
allows us to use type patterns in instanceof.
improves switch expressions.
makes destructuring objects as easy as (and more similar to)
constructing them.
holds the potential to simplify and streamline much of the code
we write today.

Major Feature
Major Feature
Major Feature
Major Feature
Major Feature

Thank you! 😀
Thank you! 😀

github.com/hannotify/pattern-
matching-music-store
hanno.codes peterwessels.nl
@hannotify @PeterWessels

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