rx-java Operators Operators, an introduction

Example

An operator can be used to manipulate the flow of objects from Observable to Subscriber.

Observable<Integer> integerObservable = Observable.just(1, 2, 3); // creating a simple Integer observable
Subscriber<String> mSubscriber = new Subscriber<String>() {
    @Override
    public void onCompleted() {
        System.out.println("onCompleted called!");
    }

    @Override
    public void onError(Throwable throwable) {
        System.out.println("onError called");
    }

    @Override
    public void onNext(String string) {
        System.out.println("onNext called with: " + string);
    }
}; // a simple String subscriber

integerObservable
    .map(new Func1<Integer, String>() {
        @Override
        public String call(Integer integer) {
            switch (integer) {
                case 1:
                    return "one";
                case 2:
                    return "two";
                case 3:
                    return "three";
                default:
                    return "zero";
            }
        }
}).subscribe(mSubscriber);

The output would be:

onNext called with: one
onNext called with: two
onNext called with: three
onCompleted called!

The mapoperator changed the Integer observable to a String observable, thereby manipulating the flow of objects.

Operator Chaining

Multiple operators can be chained together to for more powerful transforms and manipulations.

integerObservable // emits 1, 2, 3
            .map(i -> i + 10) // adds 10 to each item; emits 11, 12, 13
            .filter(i -> i > 11) // emits items that satisfy condition; 12, 13
            .last() // emits last item in observable; 13
            // unlimited operators can be added ...
            .subscribe(System.out::println); // prints 13

Any number of operators can be added in between the Observable and Subscriber.