/java-language

name: java-language
description: Modern Java 21+ language standards including Records, Pattern Matching, and Virtual Threads. Use for Java language constructs or Java-to-Java upgrades; defer Kotlin, tests, formatting/build tools, CompletableFuture, builder patterns, and isolated null-handling questions.
metadata:
  triggers:
    files:
    - '**/*.java'
    - 'pom.xml'
    - 'build.gradle'
    keywords:
    - record
    - sealed
    - switch
    - var
    - Optional
    - stream
    - VirtualThread
    - instanceof
    - text block

Java Language Patterns

**Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)**

Implementation Guidelines

• **Records**: Use record for immutable DTOs/Value Objects. Records auto-generate equals, hashCode, toString. Avoid Lombok @Data on Pojos.
• **Local Variables**: Use **`var`** for inferred types. Explicitly type interface variables.
• **Switch**: Use Switch Expressions (->) and Pattern Matching over complex if/else chains.
• **Text Blocks**: Use **`"" (Text Blocks)`** for JSON, SQL, or multi-line strings.
• **Pattern Matching**: Use **`instanceof`** with pattern binding: `if (obj instanceof String s)`.
• **Sealed Classes**: Use sealed interface/class with permits clause for domain-driven restricted hierarchies. Switch expressions then exhaustive switch (compiler-verified).
• **Collections**: Use **`List.of()`**, **`Map.of()`**, and **`Set.of()`** for immutable collections.
• **Streams**: Use **`stream()`** pipelines for functional transformations. Use **`.toList()`** (Java 16+).
• **Optional**: Utilize **`Optional<T>`** for return types. Use **`.ifPresentOrElse()`** or **`.orElseThrow()`**.
• **Virtual Threads**: Favor **`Executors.newVirtualThreadPerTaskExecutor()`** for I/O-heavy workloads.

Anti-Patterns

• **No Nulls**: Return Optional or empty collections; avoid null parameters.
• **No Raw Types**: Always use generics; never use raw List or Map.
• **No Old Switch**: Use switch expressions (->); avoid fall-through.
• **No Manual get/set**: Use Records or value objects instead.
• **No synchronized blocks**: Use java.util.concurrent or Virtual Threads instead.

References

• [Records, Pattern Matching & Virtual Threads](references/example.md)

Canonical response anchors

When this skill applies, preserve the following domain terminology or equivalent concrete examples in the answer when relevant:

• DTOs/Value Objects
• Lombok
• exhaustive switch
• if/else chains
• sealed interface/class