Steps

1. How to define a case class to represent a Donut object

Let's start by using a case class which we learned from the tutorial on case classes to represent a domain object of type Donut.

println("Step 1: How to define a case class to represent a Donut object")
case class Donut(name: String, price: Double, productCode: Option[Long] = None)

2. How to create instances or objects for the Donut case class

Use the following syntax to create instances or objects of the Donut case class.

println("\nStep 2: How to create instances or objects for the Donut case class")
val vanillaDonut: Donut = Donut("Vanilla", 1.50)
println(s"Vanilla donut name = ${vanillaDonut.name}")
println(s"Vanilla donut price = ${vanillaDonut.price}")
println(s"Vanilla donut produceCode = ${vanillaDonut.productCode}")

You should see the following output when you run your Scala application in IntelliJ:

Step 2: How to create instances or objects for the Donut case class
Vanilla donut name = Vanilla
Vanilla donut price = 1.5
Vanilla donut produceCode = None

3. How to define an implicit class to augment or extend the Donut object with a uuid field

Assume that you were given a Donut type in a library or dependency and as such do not have access to modify the Donut source code. In addition, say you are given a requirement to create a unique identifier for the Donut type.

With Implicit Class, you can easily extend the functionality of the Donut type. In the example below, we add a new method named uuid which returns a String and it uses the name and productCode of the Donut type to construct the unique id.

println("\nStep 3: How to define an implicit class to augment or extend the Donut object with a uuid field")
object DonutImplicits {
 implicit class AugmentedDonut(donut: Donut) {
  def uuid: String = s"${donut.name} - ${donut.productCode.getOrElse(12345)}"
 }
}

NOTE:

• It's a good practice to encapsulate Implicit Classes into an object which can later be injected or referenced.
• In real life you probably would not hardcode the uuid value using donut.productCode.getOrElse(12345) but this is just an example of how to add a default value if the productCode field is None.
• For additional details on how to use Option, None and Some, you can review the tutorial on Learn How To Use Option And Avoid Null.

4. How to import and use the implicit class AugmentedDonut from Step 3

Since we've wrapped and encapsulated the AugmentedDonut Implicit Class inside the DonutImplicits object, to use the Implicit AugmentedDonut class you simply need to import it as shown below.

println("\nStep 4: How to import and use the implicit class AugmentedDonut from Step 3")
import DonutImplicits._
println(s"Vanilla donut uuid = ${vanillaDonut.uuid}")

You should see the following output when you run your Scala application in IntelliJ:

Step 4: How to import and use the implicit class AugmentedDonut from Step 3
Vanilla donut uuid = Vanilla - 12345

NOTE:

• The vanilla donut object now has access the uuid method - also known as the extension method.