 <p>Re : 'how' is this used - one place we are finding this useful is when dealing with java api mappings where <code>null</code> is commonplace, e.g. on jdbc prepared statements to nullable sql columns. The <code>Option</code>al internal model fields can be mapped:</p> <pre><code>stmt.setDate("field", myModel.myDateField.orNull) </code></pre> <p>Instead of the more verbose:</p> <pre><code>stmt.setDate("field", myModel.myDateField.getOrElse(null)) </code></pre>