Lombok set default value when an attribute is explicity set to null by builder

Question

I am using the new Builder.Default feature of Lombok version 1.16.16. I would like to configure a class such that an attribute takes a default value if the attribute is not explicitly set via the builder, or if the attribute is set to null by the builder.

Case 1: Attribute is not set

MyClass.Builder().build();

Case 2: Attribute is set to null

MyClass.Builder().myAttribute(null).build();

In both cases I want a default value to be set. The background is that the class will be built based on the results of a database query.

Below is the annotated class

@Builder
@NonFinal
public class MyClass {

	@Builder.Default
	private String myAttribute = "-";

}

Is there any way to configure the class such that attributes are set to a default value even if explicitly set to null (Case 2)?

Answer 1

No, lombok will not help you there. You set the value to null, then this attribute will be null.

It's a good idea to look at the generated class so you can understand how lombok works.

One workaround come to my mind.
lombok uses all-args-constructor to create you class from the BuilderClass.

So, I think if you create the constructor by your self and add your logic by checking if this value is null then use the default.