Java Lambda Expressions: Usage, Benefits, and Examples

Lambda expressions, introduced in Java 8, provide a concise way to represent instances of functional interfaces. They are essentially anonymous functions that streamline code by replacing verbose anonymous inner classes. The basic syntax is `(parameters) -> expression` or `(parameters) -> { statements; }`. Lambda expressions are particularly useful for implementing single abstract methods of functional interfaces, enabling more readable and maintainable code. They can be passed as arguments to methods, returned from methods, and executed on demand. Their applications span various areas in Java, including concurrent programming, collection processing, and event handling, significantly simplifying development and improving code clarity.