Question

Im using scala Map#get function, and for every accurate query it returns as Some[String]

IS there an easy way to remove the Some?

Example:

def searchDefs{
    print("What Word would you like defined? ")
    val selection = readLine
    println(selection + ":\n\t" + definitionMap.get(selection))
  }

When I use this method and use the following Input:

What Word would you like defined? Ontology

The returned Value is:

Ontology:
    Some(A set of representational primitives with which to model a domain of knowledge or discourse.)

I would like to remove the Some() around that.

Any tips?

Answer 1

There are a lot of ways to deal with the Option type. First of all, however, do realize how much better it is to have this instead of a potential null reference! Don’t try to get rid of it simply because you are used to how Java works.

As someone else recently stated: stick with it for a few weeks and you will moan each time you have to get back to a language which doesn’t offer Option types.

Now as for your question, the simplest and riskiest way is this:

mymap.get(something).get

Calling .get on a Some object retrieves the object inside. It does, however, give you a runtime exception if you had a None instead (for example, if the key was not in your map).

A much cleaner way is to use Option.foreach or Option.map like this:

scala> val map = Map(1 -> 2)
map: scala.collection.immutable.Map[Int,Int] = Map(1 -> 2)

scala> map.get(1).foreach( i => println("Got: " + i))
Got: 2

scala> map.get(2).foreach( i => println("Got: " + i))

scala> 

As you can see, this allows you to execute a statement if and only if you have an actual value. If the Option is None instead, nothing will happen.

Finally, it is also popular to use pattern matching on Option types like this:

scala> map.get(1) match {
     |  case Some(i) => println("Got something")
     |  case None => println("Got nothing")
     | }
Got something