Here’s an even cleaner approach: Use getOrDefault() for a Default Value (Best for Readability).
After working with HashMap for some time, I’ve found that getOrDefault() offers a fantastic alternative if you’re looking for a default value when the key doesn’t exist. It’s less verbose and makes your code more readable, eliminating the need for extra checks. Check it out:
int age = map.getOrDefault("Alice", -1);
System.out.println("Age: " + age);
Why? This method not only handles missing keys gracefully but also makes your code more concise, especially if you’re working with default values often. It’s the ideal solution for readability when performing a java hashmap check if key exists and you want a fallback value.