Java 8: Is it possible to assign a method reference to a variable?

Question

I Googled for an answer to this question but couldn't find one.

In Java 8, I know this is possible:

// someMethod is defined as: someMethod(AFunctionalInterface i)
someMethod(someObject::someOtherMethod);

Question is: is it possible to do the following

AFunctionalInterface i = anObject::SomeMethod;

Also, is it possible to assign a lambda to a variable and pass it around, like so?

Printer f = () -> System.out.println(..); methodThatTakesPrinter(f);

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible, according to an example cited in the JLS:

Task t = () -> System.out.println("hi");
Runnable r = t::invoke;

In addition, the following is stated:

A method reference expression is compatible in an assignment context [emphasis mine], invocation context, or casting context with a target type T if T is a functional interface type (§9.8) and the expression is congruent with the function type of the ground target type derived from T.