Java Renaissance • Georges Saab • YOW! 2023

Java developers can benefit from upgrading to newer Java versions, which offer significant improvements in concurrency, garbage collection, and thread-local variables, and adopt modern features and tooling for simplicity, clarity, and maintainability.

Key takeaways

Java developers often stay stuck with Java 8, citing it as “all we need”.
There are good reasons for this, particularly the features and improvements made in Java 8.
The Java ecosystem has moved forward, with newer versions offering significant improvements, such as concurrency, garbage collection, and thread-local variables.
Virtual threads are a key innovation, providing a lighter, more scalable alternative to traditional threads.
Loom, a project aiming to make Java concurrency more efficient and scalable, is compatible with existing code and does not require new APIs.
The Java language and platform have evolved, with a focus on incremental improvements and backwards compatibility.
The Oracle JDK is built on a large code base, and smaller changes can be difficult to achieve.
There is no single “right” way to design a programming language, and trade-offs must be made.
Java aims to be a general-purpose language, suitable for a wide range of applications and programming styles.
The Java community should focus on adopting and using the latest language features and tooling, such as Project Loom and Virtual Threads.
Educators and developers should aim to teach and use modern Java, emphasizing simplicity, clarity, and maintainability.
The rapid pace of innovation in the Java ecosystem makes it essential to stay up-to-date and adapt to new features and improvements.

Java Renaissance • Georges Saab • YOW! 2023

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