The Java ecosystem continues to evolve, offering developers new features, performance enhancements, and improved security with each iteration. Java 17 is the latest long-term support (LTS) release for the Java SE platform. Java 17 exploring new features and updates for developers.
Here are some of the updates:
- Sealed classes are now standardized.
- Always-strict floating-point semantics have been restored.
- Switch statements have been enriched with enhanced pattern matching.
- Pseudorandom number generators have been upgraded.
- Support for context-specific and dynamically selected deserialization filters has been provided.
- The RMI Activation mechanism has been removed.
- The Security Manager and the well-known Applet API are deprecated and scheduled for removal.
In this blog, we will explore Java 17's latest features, enhancements, and their potential impact on developers.
Java 17 Latest Features for Java Developers
#1 - New Language Features
1.1 Sealed Classes
Sealed classes provide a more controlled way to define class hierarchies by restricting which classes can extend or implement them. This is useful for API designers who want to limit the extensibility of their interfaces.
Example:
public abstract sealed class Shape
permits Circle, Square { }
public final class Circle extends Shape { }
public final class Square extends Shape { }
1.2 Pattern Matching for switch (Preview)
This enhancement simplifies the syntax for complex switch statements and improves readability by allowing pattern matching within the switch blocks.
Example:
switch (obj) {
case Integer i -> System.out.println("Integer: " + i);
case String s -> System.out.println("String: " + s);
default -> throw new IllegalStateException("Unexpected value: " + obj);
}
1.3 Enhanced switch Statement (Finalized)
Building on enhancements from earlier versions, Java 17 finalizes the new switch statement syntax, allowing for more concise and expressive code.
Example:
int numLetters = switch (day) {
case MONDAY, FRIDAY, SUNDAY -> 6;
case TUESDAY -> 7;
case THURSDAY, SATURDAY -> 8;
case WEDNESDAY -> 9;
};
#2 - JVM and Performance Improvements
2.1 Enhanced Pseudo-Random Number Generators
Java 17 introduces new interfaces and implementations for pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs), providing more flexibility and performance.
Key Interfaces and Classes:
- RandomGenerator interface
- RandomGeneratorFactory class
- Improved implementations for SplittableRandom, Xoroshiro128Plus, and more
2.2 Strong Encapsulation of JDK Internals by Default
Building on the encapsulation efforts started in Java 9, Java 17 now strongly encapsulates JDK internals, making it harder to access them through reflection and encouraging developers to use standard APIs.
2.3 New macOS Rendering Pipeline
A new rendering pipeline for macOS, implemented using the Apple Metal API, replaces the old pipeline based on the deprecated OpenGL.
#3 - Library Enhancements
3.1 New APIs and Enhancements
Java 17 includes several API enhancements and new APIs to improve development efficiency and code readability.
Examples:
- java.util.Objects.requireNonNullElseThrow: Provides a default exception to throw when a value is null.
- java.nio.file.Files.mismatch: Finds and returns the position of the first byte mismatch between two files.
3.2 Removal of Deprecated APIs
Several APIs deprecated in earlier versions are removed in Java 17, streamlining the JDK and reducing maintenance overhead.
#4 - Security Enhancements
4.1 Context-Specific Deserialization Filters
To enhance security, Java 17 introduces context-specific deserialization filters that allow more fine-grained control over which classes can be deserialized.
4.2 Stronger Algorithms for Secure Operations
Java 17 updates and introduces stronger algorithms for cryptographic operations, following industry best practices and improving overall security.
#5 - Deprecations and Removals
5.1 Applet API
The Applet API, deprecated since Java 9, is finally removed in Java 17. This reflects the modern shift towards web technologies that do not rely on applets.
5.2 Experimental AOT and JIT Compiler
The experimental Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) and Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers, JIT Compiler (Graal), are removed. The focus is shifted to more stable and supported technologies.
#6 - Migration and Compatibility
6.1 Migration Guides and Tools
Java 17 provides comprehensive migration guides and tools to assist developers in upgrading from previous versions. This includes detailed documentation and compatibility checks to ensure a smooth transition.
6.2 Long-Term Support (LTS)
As an LTS release, Java 17 will receive extended support and updates, making it a stable and reliable choice for production environments.
Conclusion!
Java 17 brings a wealth of new features, enhancements, and improvements that enhance the language's capability, performance, and security. Whether you are a developer looking to take advantage of the latest language features or an enterprise planning your long-term strategy, Java 17 provides a robust platform for building modern applications. If you are looking to hire Java developer
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