OptionalPath

OptionalPath<A> wraps Java's java.util.Optional<A>, bridging the standard library and the Path API.

What You'll Learn

  • Creating OptionalPath instances
  • Core operations
  • Conversion to other types
  • When to use (and when not to)

Creation

OptionalPath<String> present = Path.present("hello");
OptionalPath<String> absent = Path.absent();
OptionalPath<User> user = Path.optional(repository.findById(id));

Core Operations

OptionalPath<String> name = Path.present("Alice");

OptionalPath<Integer> length = name.map(String::length);
OptionalPath<String> upper = name.via(s -> Path.present(s.toUpperCase()));

Extraction and Conversion

OptionalPath<String> path = Path.present("hello");

Optional<String> optional = path.run();
String value = path.getOrElse("default");
boolean hasValue = path.isPresent();

// Convert to MaybePath for richer operations
MaybePath<String> maybe = path.toMaybePath();

When to Use

OptionalPath is right when:

  • You're integrating with Java APIs that return Optional
  • You prefer staying close to standard library semantics
  • Bridging between Higher-Kinded-J and existing codebases

OptionalPath is wrong when:

  • You're not constrained by Optional → MaybePath is slightly richer

See Also

Previous: IdPath Next: GenericPath