> The trouble with Optional is that it is typed, and as such its use is too complex within the api methods we have now compared to the minimal benefit it brings.
Anyway I think it should be impl specific feature - sorry for the noise.
For all interested, Optional<T> is a "better" alternative to null -
this post explains to some extent benefits of using Optional:
http://vanillajava.blogspot.fr/2015/01/java-8-optional-is-not-just-for.html
Przemyslaw