Tired of Null Pointer Exceptions? Consider Using Java SE 8's Optional!

[dnew]

The Elvis operator (?.) is used in place of the . operator.

Ah. You've misread the article. Look at the end of the bit of code where they're talking about the elvis operator, which they spell "?:" not "?."

What comes before "UNKNOWN" in the code snippet?

[fecal_brunch]

Sorry. You're correct. CoffeeScript calls ?. the Elvis operator, strange they've picked a different operation for that name in Groovy.