Say No to Lombok: Embrace MapStruct + Java Records for Clean, Modern Java

[Lomanu4]

Drop the boilerplate and embrace immutability, type safety, and clean mapping in your Spring Boot applications — no more @Data magic .

? Goodbye, Lombok (and Why)


If you've been a Java developer for any length of time, you've likely used

Пожалуйста Авторизируйтесь или Зарегистрируйтесь для просмотра скрытого текста.

to get rid of repetitive getter/setter/constructor code. It’s a convenient crutch—but like all shortcuts, it comes with trade-offs:

• IDE confusion: Code generated behind the scenes sometimes breaks static analysis or autocomplete.
• Debugging hell: Stepping into generated code? Not easy.
• Hidden complexity: Lombok hides a lot of logic, making code less explicit.

It’s 2025 — we can do better.

The Better Way: Java Records + MapStruct

? Java Records


Introduced in Java 14 and stable since Java 16+, record is a special kind of class that’s:

• Immutable by default
• Comes with a compact syntax
• Auto-generates equals(), hashCode(), toString(), and constructors

public record UserDTO(Long id, String name, String email) {}
? MapStruct

Пожалуйста Авторизируйтесь или Зарегистрируйтесь для просмотра скрытого текста.

is a code generator that simplifies object mapping between types (like Entity DTO).

It’s:

• Type-safe and compile-time checked
• Blazing fast (no reflection!)
• Easy to integrate with Spring Boot

?‍? Real-World Example: Entity DTO

1. Define Your JPA Entity


@Entity
public class UserEntity {
@Id
private Long id;
private String name;
private String email;
}
2. Create an Immutable DTO with Records


public record UserDTO(Long id, String name, String email) {}
3. Auto-map with MapStruct


@Mapper(componentModel = "spring")
public interface UserMapper {
UserDTO toDTO(UserEntity user);
UserEntity toEntity(UserDTO dto);
}

Spring will inject UserMapper automatically. No reflection, no surprises.

Lombok vs MapStruct + Records

Feature	Lombok	MapStruct + Records
Boilerplate Removal
Immutability	(@Value is limited)	(Records are final)
Debuggable	(hidden code)	(explicit and generated)
IDE Support	Sometimes flaky	Excellent
Mapping Support	Manual	Automatic via MapStruct
Type Safety	Risky	Checked at compile time

? Drawbacks to Consider

• Java 14+ required: Records aren’t available in older versions.
• No mutable DTOs: If you need setters, Records may not be ideal.
• Extra annotation processing setup: MapStruct needs build-time config.

But for most modern Spring Boot microservices or REST APIs? This combo is a clear winner.

? Final Thoughts

Lombok had its time. But in today’s world of immutability, clean architecture, and strong typing, it's time to move on.

By using MapStruct + Java Records, you:

• Simplify DTO mapping
• Improve code clarity and maintainability
• Reduce bugs caused by unintended mutations

? Bonus: Starter Template?


Let me know in the comments if you’d like a GitHub starter repo with Spring Boot + MapStruct + Records — happy to share!

Пожалуйста Авторизируйтесь или Зарегистрируйтесь для просмотра скрытого текста.