The syntax of some Java constructs, such as enhanced for loops, requires that you declare a variable that you may have no use for. To solve this
issue, Java 22 introduced an unnamed variable pattern, _
. This feature removes the need to name variables that are syntactically required
but otherwise unused. Moreover, it clearly indicates the intent not to use the variable.
To further minimize clutter, unnamed variables should use the var
pattern rather than explicit type declarations. In addition to
minimizing clutter, removing the type makes the code easier to maintain. Indeed, if the type was to change in future, the code would remain the
same.
Exceptions
This rule does not apply to basic for
loops and local variable declarations in a block.