Java in 2024: Expanding Horizons with Java 23

for free reading -> https://erkanyasun.medium.com/java-in-2024-expanding-horizons-with-java-23-2f097a95c9a5?sk=854452a13089b92951f3b6ee706eef7b

The Java ecosystem continues to thrive, embracing new language features, improved performance, and innovative projects that keep the language competitive in a rapidly shifting tech landscape. Java 23, released in September 2024, underscores this commitment with additions that simplify development, enhance concurrency, and strengthen Java’s position in cloud-native architectures. Let’s take a deep dive into these features and explore how they fit into the wider world of Java-related technologies.

1. Key Features of Java 23

1.1 Pattern Matching for switch (Third Preview)

Pattern Matching for switch refines how developers handle various data types, entering its third preview in Java 23. This feature allows more concise and safer handling of objects in a switch statement without tedious casting or large if-else blocks.

static String formatterPatternSwitch(Object o) {
    return switch (o) {
        case Integer i -> String.format("int %d", i);
        case Long l    -> String.format("long %d", l);
        case Double d  -> String.format("double %f", d);
        case String s  -> String.format("String %s", s);
        default        -> o.toString();
    };
}

Why It Matters:

• Reduces boilerplate by eliminating the need for manual instanceof checks.
• Improves type safety and makes your code clearer, especially when dealing with complex domain models.

1.2 Sequenced Collections

Introduced in Java 23, Sequenced Collections formalize a standard encounter order for collections, ensuring that APIs across different collection types (like lists and sets) behave predictably regarding element ordering.

List<String> list = List.of("apple", "banana", "cherry");
for (String fruit : list) {
    System.out.println(fruit);
}

Why It Matters:

• Uniform iteration and handling of elements in ordered collections.
• Less confusion when transitioning between different collection implementations.

1.3 Virtual Threads (Second Preview)

Building on Project Loom, Virtual Threads are now in their second preview. They promise a lightweight concurrency model, making it possible to spawn large numbers of concurrent tasks without the overhead of traditional platform threads.

try (var executor = Executors.newVirtualThreadPerTaskExecutor()) {
    executor.submit(() -> {
        // Task logic here
        System.out.println("Running a virtual thread task!");
    });
}

Why It Matters:

• High throughput: Ideal for IO-bound applications, web servers, and microservices needing to handle many concurrent requests.
• Simplified code: Allows a thread-per-request approach without spiking resource usage, benefiting large-scale microservice architectures.

1.4 Structured Concurrency (Second Incubator)

Structured Concurrency treats related tasks as a single unit for error handling and cancellation, and it’s now in its second incubator iteration in Java 23.

try (var scope = new StructuredTaskScope.ShutdownOnFailure()) {
    Future<String> user = scope.fork(() -> findUser());
    Future<Integer> order = scope.fork(() -> fetchOrder());
    scope.join();           
    scope.throwIfFailed();  
    process(user.resultNow(), order.resultNow());
}

Why It Matters:

• Makes concurrency more predictable by grouping tasks together.
• Simplifies error propagation and cancellation, a frequent pain point in multithreaded applications.

1.5 Foreign Function & Memory API (Third Preview)

The Foreign Function & Memory API continues in its third preview, offering a more convenient and secure interface for calling native libraries without resorting to JNI.

try (MemorySegment segment = MemorySegment.allocateNative(100)) {
    MemoryAccess.setIntAtOffset(segment, 0, 42);
    int value = MemoryAccess.getIntAtOffset(segment, 0);
    System.out.println("Value: " + value);
}

Why It Matters:

• Performance gains over traditional JNI-based calls.
• Clearer boundaries and safer memory management in native interop scenarios, critical for high-performance, low-level tasks.

1.6 Deprecation of 32-bit x86 Port for Removal

Signaling a shift toward modern architectures, Java 23 deprecates the 32-bit x86 port, encouraging users to adopt 64-bit systems. This move frees resources to optimize the JDK for the platforms most widely used today.

Why It Matters:

• Streamlines efforts to maximize performance and maintain security for commonly used architectures.
• Simplifies ongoing JVM development, focusing on 64-bit enhancements.

2. The Broader Java Ecosystem

2.1 Java Frameworks for the Cloud-Native World

Modern frameworks — like Spring Boot, Quarkus, Micronaut, and Jakarta EE — have been quick to integrate Java 23 features (where applicable). In particular:

• Spring Boot: Continues to dominate enterprise development; has begun experimenting with virtual threads to simplify high-load web applications.
• Quarkus: Designed for Kubernetes and serverless, Quarkus harnesses GraalVM for native images and also explores structured concurrency for scalable microservices.
• Micronaut: Focuses on low-memory footprints and fast startup times, embracing new Java features that cut down on code overhead.
• Jakarta EE: The spiritual successor to Java EE, Jakarta EE sees ongoing improvements to integrate language-level enhancements like records, pattern matching, and concurrency abstractions.

2.2 Tooling and DevOps Integration

• Build Tools: Maven and Gradle maintain immediate compatibility with new Java versions, making it straightforward to enable preview features.
• Containerization: Java’s official Docker images get updated quickly to reflect new releases, ensuring seamless deployment to Kubernetes, AWS ECS, or other container orchestration solutions.
• Continuous Integration: Modern CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI) also adopt Java 23 features, allowing dev teams to incorporate them into testing and release workflows.

2.3 Polyglot and JVM Languages

The Java Virtual Machine is more than just Java. Popular JVM languages like Kotlin, Scala, and Groovy also benefit from improvements in the underlying JVM (new GC optimizations, concurrency models, memory APIs), ensuring that the entire ecosystem progresses in tandem.

2.4 Reactive Systems and Stream Processing

Tools such as Apache Kafka, Reactive Streams libraries (Project Reactor, Akka Streams), and MQ solutions (RabbitMQ) continue to leverage new JVM enhancements for lower latency and better concurrency. Virtual threads hold particular promise for high-throughput messaging systems, drastically simplifying asynchronous code.

3. Performance Highlights

• Garbage Collectors (GCs): ZGC and Shenandoah see ongoing fine-tuning, aiming for minimal pause times.
• JIT & AOT: Better JIT compilation strategies with HotSpot and potential synergy with GraalVM for ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation.
• Runtime Optimizations: The Java runtime invests in smaller footprints and faster startup, aligning with cloud-native demands and microservice architectures.

4. Java 24 and Future Directions

Looking ahead, Java 24 — scheduled for March 2025 — is rumored to include up to 24 new features, such as:

• A fourth preview of Structured Concurrency, potentially finalizing the feature.
• Further enhancements from Project Leyden (focusing on startup optimization and static images).
• Ongoing work in Project Lilliput, which aims to reduce object header sizes for improved memory efficiency.

Additionally, the Java community keeps a close eye on Project Panama (advanced foreign function/memory access) and further refinements to the concurrency model. Expect previews to finalize into standard features once feedback and real-world testing confirm their stability.

5. Why Java Remains Dominant

1. Steady Release Cadence: Reliable six-month releases ensure that features appear quickly and reach maturity faster.
2. Backward Compatibility: Java’s commitment to backward compatibility makes upgrades relatively smooth.
3. Vibrant Community: Millions of developers, an extensive open-source ecosystem, and strong corporate backing guarantee Java’s continued relevance.
4. Cloud-Native Evolution: Features like virtual threads, structured concurrency, and the Foreign Function & Memory API enable Java to adapt effectively to modern cloud workloads.

Conclusion

In 2024, Java 23 showcases the platform’s dedication to continuous innovation — whether it’s boosting developer productivity with pattern matching enhancements, tackling concurrency at scale with virtual threads, or modernizing the platform by retiring legacy ports. Paired with a thriving ecosystem of frameworks (Spring Boot, Quarkus, Micronaut), tooling (Maven, Gradle), and container-friendly deployment options, Java remains a top choice for enterprise applications and cutting-edge cloud-native projects alike.

With Java 24 on the horizon for March 2025, the language is expected to evolve further, solidifying its role not just as a stalwart of enterprise computing, but as an actively modernizing ecosystem. Now is an exciting time to embrace Java’s future — experiment with the preview features, adopt best practices for concurrency, and enjoy the ever-growing synergy between Java and the vibrant technologies around it.