Java 8 introduced several significant features and enhancements to the Java programming language.

• Lambda Expressions
,
• Functional Interfaces
,
• Method References
,
• Stream API
,
• Default Methods
,
• New Date and Time API
,
• Nashorn JavaScript Engine
,
• Improved Collections

Lambda Expressions:

Lambda expressions provide a concise way to define anonymous functions (or closures) in Java. They enable functional programming constructs and make it easier to work with collections using the Streams API.

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Functional Interfaces:

Functional interfaces are interfaces that have exactly one abstract method. Java 8 introduced the @FunctionalInterface annotation to help developers identify such interfaces, and they can be used effectively with lambda expressions.

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Method References:

Method references allow you to refer to methods or constructors using the :: operator. They provide a more concise way to call methods or constructors, especially in conjunction with lambda expressions.

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Stream API:

The Stream API is a powerful addition for working with sequences of elements, such as collections or arrays. Streams enable functional-style operations like mapping, filtering, and reducing on data.

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Default Methods:

Java 8 introduced the concept of default methods in interfaces. These methods have an implementation in the interface itself, allowing developers to add new methods to interfaces without breaking existing implementing classes.

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New Date and Time API:

Java 8 introduced the java.time package, which provides a modern, comprehensive date and time API. This API offers better handling of dates, times, time zones, and periods, addressing many shortcomings of the old java.util.Date and java.util.Calendar classes.

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Nashorn JavaScript Engine:

Java 8 includes the Nashorn JavaScript engine, which allows you to execute JavaScript code from within Java applications. It offers improved performance and better integration with Java..

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Improved Collections:

Java 8 added several new methods to the java.util.Collection interface, including forEach, removeIf, and stream, which make working with collections more convenient and efficient.

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These features have made Java more expressive and flexible, enabling developers to write cleaner and more efficient code while embracing functional programming paradigms.