Enhanced 'for' loop and lambda expressions

To my understanding, lambda expressions capture values, not variables. For example, the following is a compile-time error:

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(k)).start();

    // Error—cannot capture k

    // Local variable k defined in an enclosing scope must be final or effectively final

   }

However when I try to run the same logic with enhanced for-loop everything is working fine:

List<Integer> listOfInt = new Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3);



for (Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

    // OK to capture 'arg'

 }

Why is it working fine for an enhanced for loop and not for a normal loop, although the enhanced for loop is also somewhere inside incrementing the variable as done by a normal loop.**

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

add a comment |

To my understanding, lambda expressions capture values, not variables. For example, the following is a compile-time error:

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(k)).start();

    // Error—cannot capture k

    // Local variable k defined in an enclosing scope must be final or effectively final

   }

However when I try to run the same logic with enhanced for-loop everything is working fine:

List<Integer> listOfInt = new Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3);



for (Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

    // OK to capture 'arg'

 }

Why is it working fine for an enhanced for loop and not for a normal loop, although the enhanced for loop is also somewhere inside incrementing the variable as done by a normal loop.**

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

add a comment |

To my understanding, lambda expressions capture values, not variables. For example, the following is a compile-time error:

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(k)).start();

    // Error—cannot capture k

    // Local variable k defined in an enclosing scope must be final or effectively final

   }

However when I try to run the same logic with enhanced for-loop everything is working fine:

List<Integer> listOfInt = new Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3);



for (Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

    // OK to capture 'arg'

 }

Why is it working fine for an enhanced for loop and not for a normal loop, although the enhanced for loop is also somewhere inside incrementing the variable as done by a normal loop.**

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

To my understanding, lambda expressions capture values, not variables. For example, the following is a compile-time error:

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(k)).start();

    // Error—cannot capture k

    // Local variable k defined in an enclosing scope must be final or effectively final

   }

However when I try to run the same logic with enhanced for-loop everything is working fine:

List<Integer> listOfInt = new Arrays.asList(1, 2, 3);



for (Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

    // OK to capture 'arg'

 }

Why is it working fine for an enhanced for loop and not for a normal loop, although the enhanced for loop is also somewhere inside incrementing the variable as done by a normal loop.**

java lambda

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

edited Jan 24 at 18:38

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

asked Jan 24 at 5:48

Show Stopper

5,4102068

add a comment |

4 Answers
4

active

oldest

votes

Lambda expressions work like callbacks. The moment they are passed in the code, they 'store' any external values (or references) they require to operate (as if these values were passed as arguments in a function call. This is just hidden from the developer). In your first example, you could work around the problem by storing k to a separate variable, like d:

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    final int d = k

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(d)).start();

}

Effectively final means, that in the above example, you can leave the 'final' keyword out, because d is effectively final, since it is never changed within its scope.

For loops operate differently. They are iterative code (as opposed to a callback). They work within their respective scope and can use all variables on their own stack. This means, that the for loop's code block is part of the external code block.

As to your highlighted question:

An enhanced for loop does not operate with a regular index-counter, at least not directly. Enhanced for loops (over non-arrays) create a hidden Iterator. You can test this the following way:

Collection<String> mySet = new HashSet<>();

mySet.addAll(Arrays.asList("A", "B", "C"));

for (String myString : mySet) {

    if (myString.equals("B")) {

        mySet.remove(myString);

    }

}

The above example will cause a ConcurrentModificationException. This is due to the iterator noticing that the underlying collection has changed during the execution. However in your very example, the external loop creates an 'effectively final' variable arg which can be referenced within the lambda expression, because the value is captured at execution time.

The prevention of the capture of 'non-effectively-final' values is more or less just a precaution in Java, because in other languages (like JavaScript e.g.) this works differently.

So the compiler could theoretically translate your code, capture the value, and continue, but it would have to store that value differently, and you would probably get unexpected results. Therefore the team developing lambdas for Java 8 correctly excluded this scenario, by preventing it with an exception.

If you ever need to change values of external variables within lambda expressions, you can either declare a one-element array:

String myStringRef = { "before" };

someCallingMethod(() -> myStringRef[0] = "after" );

System.out.println(myStringRef[0]);

Or use Atomic<T> to make it thread-safe. However with your example, this would probably return "before" since the thread would most likely execute after the execution of println.

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

add a comment |

In an enhanced for loop the variable is initialized every iteration. From §14.14.2 of the Java Language Specification (JLS):

...

When an enhanced for statement is executed, the local variable is initialized, on each iteration of the loop, to successive elements of the array or Iterable produced by the expression. The precise meaning of the enhanced for statement is given by translation into a basic for statement, as follows:
If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable, then the translation is as follows.

If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable<X> for some type argument X, then let I be the type java.util.Iterator<X>; otherwise, let I be the raw type java.util.Iterator.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
for (I #i = Expression.iterator(); #i.hasNext(); ) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier =

        (TargetType) #i.next();

    Statement

}
...
Otherwise, the Expression necessarily has an array type, T.

Let L1 ... Lm be the (possibly empty) sequence of labels immediately preceding the enhanced for statement.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
T #a = Expression;

L1: L2: ... Lm:

for (int #i = 0; #i < #a.length; #i++) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier = #a[#i];

    Statement

}
...

In other words, your enhanced for loop is equivalent to:

ArrayList<Integer> listOfInt = new ArrayList<>();

// add elements...



for (Iterator<Integer> itr = listOfInt.iterator(); itr.hasNext(); ) {

    Integer arg = itr.next();

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

Since the variable is initialized each iteration it is effectively final (unless you modify the variable inside the loop).

In contrast, the variable in the basic for loop (k in your case) is initialized once and updated each iteration (if a "ForUpdate" is present, e.g. k++). See §14.14.1 of the JLS for more information. Since the variable is updated each iteration is is not final nor effectively final.

The need for a final or effectively final variable is mandated and explained by §15.27.2 of the JLS:

...

Any local variable, formal parameter, or exception parameter used but not declared in a lambda expression must either be declared final or be effectively final (§4.12.4), or a compile-time error occurs where the use is attempted.

Any local variable used but not declared in a lambda body must be definitely assigned (§16 (Definite Assignment)) before the lambda body, or a compile-time error occurs.

_{Similar rules on variable use apply in the body of an inner class (§8.1.3). The restriction to effectively final variables prohibits access to dynamically-changing local variables, whose capture would likely introduce concurrency problems. Compared to the final restriction, it reduces the clerical burden on programmers.}

_{The restriction to effectively final variables includes standard loop variables, but not enhanced-for loop variables, which are treated as distinct for each iteration of the loop (§14.14.2).}

...

That last sentence even explicitly mentions the difference between basic for loop variables and enhanced for loop variables.

edited Jan 24 at 14:53

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

add a comment |

The other replies are helpful, but they don't seem to tackle the question directly and answer it in clear terms.

In your first example, you're trying to access k from the lambda expression. The problem here is that k changes its value over time (k++ is called after each loop iteration). Lambda expressions do capture external references, but they need to be marked as final or be "effectively final" (i.e., marking them as final would still produce valid code). This is to prevent concurrency problems; by the time the thread you created is run, k could already hold a new value.

In your second example, on the other hand, the variable you're accessing is arg, which is reinitialized with every iteration of the enhanced for-loop (compare with the example above, where k was merely updated), so you're creating an entirely new variable with each iteration. As an aside, you can also explicitly declare the iteration variable of an enhanced for-loop as final:

for (final Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

This ensures that the value arg references won't have changed by the time the thread you created is run.

edited Jan 30 at 1:20

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

Nice clarification

– noamt
Jan 30 at 8:55

add a comment |

An enhanced for loop is defined to be equivalent to this code:

for (Iterator<T> it = iterable.iterator(); it.hasNext(); ) {

    T loopvar = it.next();

    …

}

This substitution code explains why the variable of an enhanced for loop is considered effectively final.

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

add a comment |

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4 Answers
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4 Answers
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for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    final int d = k

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(d)).start();

}

Effectively final means, that in the above example, you can leave the 'final' keyword out, because d is effectively final, since it is never changed within its scope.

As to your highlighted question:

An enhanced for loop does not operate with a regular index-counter, at least not directly. Enhanced for loops (over non-arrays) create a hidden Iterator. You can test this the following way:

Collection<String> mySet = new HashSet<>();

mySet.addAll(Arrays.asList("A", "B", "C"));

for (String myString : mySet) {

    if (myString.equals("B")) {

        mySet.remove(myString);

    }

}

The prevention of the capture of 'non-effectively-final' values is more or less just a precaution in Java, because in other languages (like JavaScript e.g.) this works differently.

If you ever need to change values of external variables within lambda expressions, you can either declare a one-element array:

String myStringRef = { "before" };

someCallingMethod(() -> myStringRef[0] = "after" );

System.out.println(myStringRef[0]);

Or use Atomic<T> to make it thread-safe. However with your example, this would probably return "before" since the thread would most likely execute after the execution of println.

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

add a comment |

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    final int d = k

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(d)).start();

}

Effectively final means, that in the above example, you can leave the 'final' keyword out, because d is effectively final, since it is never changed within its scope.

As to your highlighted question:

An enhanced for loop does not operate with a regular index-counter, at least not directly. Enhanced for loops (over non-arrays) create a hidden Iterator. You can test this the following way:

Collection<String> mySet = new HashSet<>();

mySet.addAll(Arrays.asList("A", "B", "C"));

for (String myString : mySet) {

    if (myString.equals("B")) {

        mySet.remove(myString);

    }

}

The prevention of the capture of 'non-effectively-final' values is more or less just a precaution in Java, because in other languages (like JavaScript e.g.) this works differently.

If you ever need to change values of external variables within lambda expressions, you can either declare a one-element array:

String myStringRef = { "before" };

someCallingMethod(() -> myStringRef[0] = "after" );

System.out.println(myStringRef[0]);

Or use Atomic<T> to make it thread-safe. However with your example, this would probably return "before" since the thread would most likely execute after the execution of println.

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

add a comment |

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    final int d = k

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(d)).start();

}

Effectively final means, that in the above example, you can leave the 'final' keyword out, because d is effectively final, since it is never changed within its scope.

As to your highlighted question:

An enhanced for loop does not operate with a regular index-counter, at least not directly. Enhanced for loops (over non-arrays) create a hidden Iterator. You can test this the following way:

Collection<String> mySet = new HashSet<>();

mySet.addAll(Arrays.asList("A", "B", "C"));

for (String myString : mySet) {

    if (myString.equals("B")) {

        mySet.remove(myString);

    }

}

The prevention of the capture of 'non-effectively-final' values is more or less just a precaution in Java, because in other languages (like JavaScript e.g.) this works differently.

If you ever need to change values of external variables within lambda expressions, you can either declare a one-element array:

String myStringRef = { "before" };

someCallingMethod(() -> myStringRef[0] = "after" );

System.out.println(myStringRef[0]);

Or use Atomic<T> to make it thread-safe. However with your example, this would probably return "before" since the thread would most likely execute after the execution of println.

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

for (int k = 0; k < 10; k++) {

    final int d = k

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(d)).start();

}

Effectively final means, that in the above example, you can leave the 'final' keyword out, because d is effectively final, since it is never changed within its scope.

As to your highlighted question:

An enhanced for loop does not operate with a regular index-counter, at least not directly. Enhanced for loops (over non-arrays) create a hidden Iterator. You can test this the following way:

Collection<String> mySet = new HashSet<>();

mySet.addAll(Arrays.asList("A", "B", "C"));

for (String myString : mySet) {

    if (myString.equals("B")) {

        mySet.remove(myString);

    }

}

The prevention of the capture of 'non-effectively-final' values is more or less just a precaution in Java, because in other languages (like JavaScript e.g.) this works differently.

If you ever need to change values of external variables within lambda expressions, you can either declare a one-element array:

String myStringRef = { "before" };

someCallingMethod(() -> myStringRef[0] = "after" );

System.out.println(myStringRef[0]);

Or use Atomic<T> to make it thread-safe. However with your example, this would probably return "before" since the thread would most likely execute after the execution of println.

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

edited Jan 24 at 18:44

Peter Mortensen

13.8k1986113

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

answered Jan 24 at 5:56

TreffnonX

868611

add a comment |

In an enhanced for loop the variable is initialized every iteration. From §14.14.2 of the Java Language Specification (JLS):

...

When an enhanced for statement is executed, the local variable is initialized, on each iteration of the loop, to successive elements of the array or Iterable produced by the expression. The precise meaning of the enhanced for statement is given by translation into a basic for statement, as follows:
If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable, then the translation is as follows.

If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable<X> for some type argument X, then let I be the type java.util.Iterator<X>; otherwise, let I be the raw type java.util.Iterator.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
for (I #i = Expression.iterator(); #i.hasNext(); ) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier =

        (TargetType) #i.next();

    Statement

}
...
Otherwise, the Expression necessarily has an array type, T.

Let L1 ... Lm be the (possibly empty) sequence of labels immediately preceding the enhanced for statement.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
T #a = Expression;

L1: L2: ... Lm:

for (int #i = 0; #i < #a.length; #i++) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier = #a[#i];

    Statement

}
...

In other words, your enhanced for loop is equivalent to:

ArrayList<Integer> listOfInt = new ArrayList<>();

// add elements...



for (Iterator<Integer> itr = listOfInt.iterator(); itr.hasNext(); ) {

    Integer arg = itr.next();

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

Since the variable is initialized each iteration it is effectively final (unless you modify the variable inside the loop).

The need for a final or effectively final variable is mandated and explained by §15.27.2 of the JLS:

...

Any local variable, formal parameter, or exception parameter used but not declared in a lambda expression must either be declared final or be effectively final (§4.12.4), or a compile-time error occurs where the use is attempted.

Any local variable used but not declared in a lambda body must be definitely assigned (§16 (Definite Assignment)) before the lambda body, or a compile-time error occurs.

_{Similar rules on variable use apply in the body of an inner class (§8.1.3). The restriction to effectively final variables prohibits access to dynamically-changing local variables, whose capture would likely introduce concurrency problems. Compared to the final restriction, it reduces the clerical burden on programmers.}

_{The restriction to effectively final variables includes standard loop variables, but not enhanced-for loop variables, which are treated as distinct for each iteration of the loop (§14.14.2).}

...

That last sentence even explicitly mentions the difference between basic for loop variables and enhanced for loop variables.

edited Jan 24 at 14:53

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

add a comment |

In an enhanced for loop the variable is initialized every iteration. From §14.14.2 of the Java Language Specification (JLS):

...

When an enhanced for statement is executed, the local variable is initialized, on each iteration of the loop, to successive elements of the array or Iterable produced by the expression. The precise meaning of the enhanced for statement is given by translation into a basic for statement, as follows:
If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable, then the translation is as follows.

If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable<X> for some type argument X, then let I be the type java.util.Iterator<X>; otherwise, let I be the raw type java.util.Iterator.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
for (I #i = Expression.iterator(); #i.hasNext(); ) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier =

        (TargetType) #i.next();

    Statement

}
...
Otherwise, the Expression necessarily has an array type, T.

Let L1 ... Lm be the (possibly empty) sequence of labels immediately preceding the enhanced for statement.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
T #a = Expression;

L1: L2: ... Lm:

for (int #i = 0; #i < #a.length; #i++) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier = #a[#i];

    Statement

}
...

In other words, your enhanced for loop is equivalent to:

ArrayList<Integer> listOfInt = new ArrayList<>();

// add elements...



for (Iterator<Integer> itr = listOfInt.iterator(); itr.hasNext(); ) {

    Integer arg = itr.next();

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

Since the variable is initialized each iteration it is effectively final (unless you modify the variable inside the loop).

The need for a final or effectively final variable is mandated and explained by §15.27.2 of the JLS:

...

Any local variable, formal parameter, or exception parameter used but not declared in a lambda expression must either be declared final or be effectively final (§4.12.4), or a compile-time error occurs where the use is attempted.

Any local variable used but not declared in a lambda body must be definitely assigned (§16 (Definite Assignment)) before the lambda body, or a compile-time error occurs.

_{Similar rules on variable use apply in the body of an inner class (§8.1.3). The restriction to effectively final variables prohibits access to dynamically-changing local variables, whose capture would likely introduce concurrency problems. Compared to the final restriction, it reduces the clerical burden on programmers.}

_{The restriction to effectively final variables includes standard loop variables, but not enhanced-for loop variables, which are treated as distinct for each iteration of the loop (§14.14.2).}

...

That last sentence even explicitly mentions the difference between basic for loop variables and enhanced for loop variables.

edited Jan 24 at 14:53

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

add a comment |

In an enhanced for loop the variable is initialized every iteration. From §14.14.2 of the Java Language Specification (JLS):

...

When an enhanced for statement is executed, the local variable is initialized, on each iteration of the loop, to successive elements of the array or Iterable produced by the expression. The precise meaning of the enhanced for statement is given by translation into a basic for statement, as follows:
If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable, then the translation is as follows.

If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable<X> for some type argument X, then let I be the type java.util.Iterator<X>; otherwise, let I be the raw type java.util.Iterator.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
for (I #i = Expression.iterator(); #i.hasNext(); ) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier =

        (TargetType) #i.next();

    Statement

}
...
Otherwise, the Expression necessarily has an array type, T.

Let L1 ... Lm be the (possibly empty) sequence of labels immediately preceding the enhanced for statement.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
T #a = Expression;

L1: L2: ... Lm:

for (int #i = 0; #i < #a.length; #i++) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier = #a[#i];

    Statement

}
...

In other words, your enhanced for loop is equivalent to:

ArrayList<Integer> listOfInt = new ArrayList<>();

// add elements...



for (Iterator<Integer> itr = listOfInt.iterator(); itr.hasNext(); ) {

    Integer arg = itr.next();

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

Since the variable is initialized each iteration it is effectively final (unless you modify the variable inside the loop).

The need for a final or effectively final variable is mandated and explained by §15.27.2 of the JLS:

...

Any local variable, formal parameter, or exception parameter used but not declared in a lambda expression must either be declared final or be effectively final (§4.12.4), or a compile-time error occurs where the use is attempted.

Any local variable used but not declared in a lambda body must be definitely assigned (§16 (Definite Assignment)) before the lambda body, or a compile-time error occurs.

_{Similar rules on variable use apply in the body of an inner class (§8.1.3). The restriction to effectively final variables prohibits access to dynamically-changing local variables, whose capture would likely introduce concurrency problems. Compared to the final restriction, it reduces the clerical burden on programmers.}

_{The restriction to effectively final variables includes standard loop variables, but not enhanced-for loop variables, which are treated as distinct for each iteration of the loop (§14.14.2).}

...

That last sentence even explicitly mentions the difference between basic for loop variables and enhanced for loop variables.

edited Jan 24 at 14:53

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

In an enhanced for loop the variable is initialized every iteration. From §14.14.2 of the Java Language Specification (JLS):

...

When an enhanced for statement is executed, the local variable is initialized, on each iteration of the loop, to successive elements of the array or Iterable produced by the expression. The precise meaning of the enhanced for statement is given by translation into a basic for statement, as follows:
If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable, then the translation is as follows.

If the type of Expression is a subtype of Iterable<X> for some type argument X, then let I be the type java.util.Iterator<X>; otherwise, let I be the raw type java.util.Iterator.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
for (I #i = Expression.iterator(); #i.hasNext(); ) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier =

        (TargetType) #i.next();

    Statement

}
...
Otherwise, the Expression necessarily has an array type, T.

Let L1 ... Lm be the (possibly empty) sequence of labels immediately preceding the enhanced for statement.

The enhanced for statement is equivalent to a basic for statement of the form:
T #a = Expression;

L1: L2: ... Lm:

for (int #i = 0; #i < #a.length; #i++) {

    {VariableModifier} TargetType Identifier = #a[#i];

    Statement

}
...

In other words, your enhanced for loop is equivalent to:

ArrayList<Integer> listOfInt = new ArrayList<>();

// add elements...



for (Iterator<Integer> itr = listOfInt.iterator(); itr.hasNext(); ) {

    Integer arg = itr.next();

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

Since the variable is initialized each iteration it is effectively final (unless you modify the variable inside the loop).

The need for a final or effectively final variable is mandated and explained by §15.27.2 of the JLS:

...

Any local variable, formal parameter, or exception parameter used but not declared in a lambda expression must either be declared final or be effectively final (§4.12.4), or a compile-time error occurs where the use is attempted.

Any local variable used but not declared in a lambda body must be definitely assigned (§16 (Definite Assignment)) before the lambda body, or a compile-time error occurs.

_{Similar rules on variable use apply in the body of an inner class (§8.1.3). The restriction to effectively final variables prohibits access to dynamically-changing local variables, whose capture would likely introduce concurrency problems. Compared to the final restriction, it reduces the clerical burden on programmers.}

_{The restriction to effectively final variables includes standard loop variables, but not enhanced-for loop variables, which are treated as distinct for each iteration of the loop (§14.14.2).}

...

That last sentence even explicitly mentions the difference between basic for loop variables and enhanced for loop variables.

edited Jan 24 at 14:53

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

edited Jan 24 at 14:53

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

answered Jan 24 at 6:19

Slaw

9,28131235

add a comment |

The other replies are helpful, but they don't seem to tackle the question directly and answer it in clear terms.

for (final Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

This ensures that the value arg references won't have changed by the time the thread you created is run.

edited Jan 30 at 1:20

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

Nice clarification

– noamt
Jan 30 at 8:55

add a comment |

The other replies are helpful, but they don't seem to tackle the question directly and answer it in clear terms.

for (final Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

This ensures that the value arg references won't have changed by the time the thread you created is run.

edited Jan 30 at 1:20

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

Nice clarification

– noamt
Jan 30 at 8:55

add a comment |

The other replies are helpful, but they don't seem to tackle the question directly and answer it in clear terms.

for (final Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

This ensures that the value arg references won't have changed by the time the thread you created is run.

edited Jan 30 at 1:20

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

The other replies are helpful, but they don't seem to tackle the question directly and answer it in clear terms.

for (final Integer arg : listOfInt) {

    new Thread(() -> System.out.println(arg)).start();

}

This ensures that the value arg references won't have changed by the time the thread you created is run.

edited Jan 30 at 1:20

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

edited Jan 30 at 1:20

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

answered Jan 24 at 11:43

Gustavo Silva

5314

Nice clarification

– noamt
Jan 30 at 8:55

add a comment |

Nice clarification

– noamt
Jan 30 at 8:55

Nice clarification

– noamt
Jan 30 at 8:55

add a comment |

An enhanced for loop is defined to be equivalent to this code:

for (Iterator<T> it = iterable.iterator(); it.hasNext(); ) {

    T loopvar = it.next();

    …

}

This substitution code explains why the variable of an enhanced for loop is considered effectively final.

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

add a comment |

An enhanced for loop is defined to be equivalent to this code:

for (Iterator<T> it = iterable.iterator(); it.hasNext(); ) {

    T loopvar = it.next();

    …

}

This substitution code explains why the variable of an enhanced for loop is considered effectively final.

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

add a comment |

An enhanced for loop is defined to be equivalent to this code:

for (Iterator<T> it = iterable.iterator(); it.hasNext(); ) {

    T loopvar = it.next();

    …

}

This substitution code explains why the variable of an enhanced for loop is considered effectively final.

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

An enhanced for loop is defined to be equivalent to this code:

for (Iterator<T> it = iterable.iterator(); it.hasNext(); ) {

    T loopvar = it.next();

    …

}

This substitution code explains why the variable of an enhanced for loop is considered effectively final.

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

answered Jan 24 at 6:24

Roland Illig

30.5k96492

add a comment |

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