Optional.or() fallback

Code Comparison

Optional<Config> cfg = primary();
if (!cfg.isPresent()) {
    cfg = secondary();
}
if (!cfg.isPresent()) {
    cfg = defaults();
}

Optional<Config> cfg = primary()
    .or(this::secondary)
    .or(this::defaults);

Why the modern way wins

🔗

Chainable

Stack fallbacks in a readable pipeline.

⚡

Lazy evaluation

Fallback suppliers only execute if needed.

📖

Declarative

Reads as 'try primary, or secondary, or defaults'.

Old Approach

Nested Fallback

Modern Approach

.or() chain

JDK Support

Optional.or() fallback

Available

Widely available since JDK 9 (Sept 2017)

How it works

Optional.or() returns the original Optional if it has a value, otherwise evaluates the supplier to get an alternative Optional. Suppliers are lazy — only called when needed.