How to use Lombok in Java development

As Java developers, we always look for ways to work more efficiently and avoid repetitive code in our projects. That's where Lombok comes in! It's a fantastic library that has transformed the way we write and manage Java code. In this blog, we'll dive into the magic of Lombok and see how it can make your development process much smoother.

1. What is Lombok?

Lombok is like a helper for Java programmers that saves us from writing the same boring code over and over again. It does this by using special instructions called annotations, which can automatically create common code pieces like getters, setters, and constructors for us.

2. How Does Lombok Work?

Lombok uses a special feature in Java called "Annotation Processor" to do some helpful magic. When you add specific annotations to your code, Lombok takes care of generating repetitive code for you when you compile it. This way, you don't have to write that code yourself, and it makes your life as a developer much easier!

3. Codebase with Lombok:

Some commonly used Lombok annotations along with their descriptions and examples:

i. @Getter and @Setter:

import lombok.Getter;
import lombok.Setter;


public class Student {
@Getter
@Setter
private String name;


@Getter
@Setter
private int age;
}

The @Getter and @Setter annotations generate getter and setter methods for class fields.

ii. @ToString:

import lombok.ToString;

@ToString
public class Student {
private String name;
private int age;
}

The @ToString annotation generates a toString() method that provides a human-readable representation of the object's state.

iii. @EqualsAndHashCode:

import lombok.EqualsAndHashCode;

@EqualsAndHashCode
public class Student {
private String name;
private int age;
}

The @EqualsAndHashCode annotation generates equals() and hashCode() methods based on the fields of the class, ensuring proper equality comparisons.

iv. @NoArgsConstructor and @AllArgsConstructor:

import lombok.NoArgsConstructor;
import lombok.AllArgsConstructor;


@NoArgsConstructor
@AllArgsConstructor
public class Student {
private String name;
private int age;
}

- @NoArgsConstructor generates a no-argument constructor.

- @AllArgsConstructor generates a constructor with parameters for all fields in the class.

v. @RequiredArgsConstructor:

import lombok.RequiredArgsConstructor;

@RequiredArgsConstructor
public class Student {
private final String name;
private int age;
}

The @RequiredArgsConstructor annotation generates a constructor with parameters for final fields only.

vi. @Data:

import lombok.Data;

@Data
public class Student {
private String name;
private int age;
}

 The @Data annotation combines the functionalities of @Getter, @Setter, @ToString, @EqualsAndHashCode, and @RequiredArgsConstructor into a single annotation.

vii. @Builder:

The @Builder annotation is used to automatically generate a builder pattern for your class. The builder pattern is a design pattern that allows for the step-by-step creation of complex objects using the correct sequence of actions. The construction is controlled by a director object that only needs to know the type of object it is to create.
In this example case,

@Builder
public class Student {    
private String name;    
private int age;
}

The Student class would have a builder pattern generated. This means you can create a new Student object like this:

Student student = Student.builder()    
	.name("John Doe")    
	.age(20)    
	.build();

viii. @Slf4j:

import lombok.extern.slf4j.Slf4j;

@Slf4j
public class Student {
public void logMessage() {
log.info("Hi, I am student.");
}
}

The @Slf4j annotation integrates with various logging frameworks, such as SLF4J, to automatically create a logger instance for the class.

4. Integration with IDEs:

Lombok seamlessly integrates with popular Java IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse. Once you've added the Lombok plugin, your IDE will recognize Lombok annotations and provide code assistance, such as autocompletion, error checking, and refactoring support.

Conclusion:

Lombok is a fantastic tool that makes life easier for Java developers. By eliminating boilerplate code, it enables us to focus on the core logic of our applications, which can drastically reduce code verbosity and improve productivity for experienced Java developers.. With its seamless integration into popular IDE.

For more information checkout - https://projectlombok.org/features/