kotlinutility-method

Is there a built in Kotlin method to apply void function to value?


I wrote this method to apply a void function to a value and return the value.

public inline fun <T> T.apply(f: (T) -> Unit): T {
    f(this)
    return this
}

This is useful in reducing something like this:

return values.map {
    var other = it.toOther()
    doStuff(other)
    return other
}

To something like this:

return values.map { it.toOther().apply({ doStuff(it) }) }

Is there a language feature or method like this already build in to Kotlin?


Solution

  • I ran into the same problem. My solution is basicly the same as yours with a small refinement:

    inline fun <T> T.apply(f: T.() -> Any): T {
        this.f()
        return this
    }
    

    Note, that f is an extension function. This way you can invoke methods on your object using the implicit this reference. Here's an example taken from a libGDX project of mine:

    val sprite : Sprite = atlas.createSprite("foo") apply {
        setSize(SIZE, SIZE)
        setOrigin(SIZE / 2, SIZE / 2)
    }
    

    Of course you could also call doStuff(this).