How do first-class functions work in Java?

Can you explain what first-class functions are in Java?

First-class functions are functions that can be treated like any other variable. In Java, this is achieved using interfaces and lambda expressions.

How do I implement a first-class function in Java?

You can implement first-class functions in Java by using functional interfaces and lambda expressions. For example, you can define a functional interface and then use a lambda to provide the implementation.

Can you give me a code example?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

@FunctionalInterface
interface MyFunction {
    int apply(int x);
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        MyFunction square = (x) -> x * x;
        System.out.println(square.apply(5)); // Outputs 25
    }
}

What are the benefits of using first-class functions?

First-class functions allow for more flexible and reusable code, enabling functional programming techniques and cleaner abstractions.