HashMap to return default value for non-found keys?

Question

Is it possible to have a HashMap return a default value for all keys that are not found in the set?

Answer 1

Use Commons' DefaultedMap if you don't feel like reinventing the wheel, e.g.,

Map map = new DefaultedMap<>("[NO ENTRY FOUND]");
String surname = map.get("Surname"); 
// surname == "[NO ENTRY FOUND]"

You can also pass in an existing map if you're not in charge of creating the map in the first place.