Java 8’s new Optional type doesn't solve anything
The author is missing the point. The fact that Optional can result in a nullpointer doesn't mean you should use in the same manner as null-checks.<p>You <i>shouldn't</i> replace:<p><pre><code>  if(x == null)
  {
    y = x.doSomething();
  }
</code></pre>
with<p><pre><code>  if(optionalX.isPresent())
  {
    y = x.doSomething();
  }
</code></pre>
You should replace it with:<p><pre><code>  y = Optional.ofNullable(x)
    .map(ClassX::doSomething)
    .orElse(null);</code></pre>