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Introduction to Java 24
As someone who has spent countless hours navigating the intricate world of Java development, the release of Java 24 feels like a breath of fresh air. This latest iteration, launched in March 2025, is a testament to Java’s enduring commitment to evolve and meet the contemporary demands of developers. From bolstering AI capabilities to fortifying security against future quantum threats, Java 24 brings a suite of new features that are set to revolutionize the way we code.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the most significant enhancements introduced in Java 24, complete with code examples to help you grasp the practical applications of these updates. Whether you’re a seasoned Java developer or just starting your journey, there’s something here for everyone.
Let’s dive into the language enhancements first, as they lay the groundwork for more sophisticated and efficient coding practices. And if you’re curious about how these features can enhance your development workflow, you’re in the right place. Java 24 is not just about new features—it’s about empowering developers to build more robust, secure, and efficient applications.
For more detailed information on Java 24, check out the official Oracle release notes .
Language Enhancements
Primitive Types in Patterns
One of the standout language enhancements in Java 24 is the ability to use primitive types in pattern matching. This feature, introduced through JEP 488, simplifies the integration of pattern matching with primitive types, which is especially beneficial in AI applications that rely heavily on primitive operations.
Example:
switch (value) {
case int i -> System.out.println("Integer: " + i);
case double d -> System.out.println("Double: " + d);
case String s -> System.out.println("String: " + s);
default -> System.out.println("Unknown type");
}
This enhancement facilitates cleaner and more efficient code by reducing the need for multiple instanceof checks.
Flexible Constructor Bodies
JEP 492 introduces flexible constructor bodies, allowing developers to define distinct prologue and epilogue phases within constructors. This makes the code more readable and maintainable by clearly delineating setup and teardown operations.
Example:
public class Example extends Object{
private final int value;
public Example(int value) {
// Prologue
if (value < 0) {
throw new IllegalArgumentException("Negative value not allowed");
}
// Main constructor body
super();
this.value = value;
// Epilogue
System.out.println("Object created with value: " + value);
}
}
Module Import Declarations
JEP 494 simplifies the process of importing all packages exported by a module. This is particularly useful when working with modular AI libraries, streamlining the import process and reducing the boilerplate code.
Example:
import module my.module;
This feature makes it easier to manage dependencies and improves code clarity.
Simple Source Files and Instance Main Methods
To lower the entry barrier for new developers, JEP 495 introduces simple source files and instance main methods. This reduces boilerplate code, making Java more accessible to beginners.
Example:
// HelloWorld.java
class HelloWorld {
void main() {
System.out.println("Hello, World!");
}
}
These enhancements collectively refine Java’s usability and maintainability, laying a solid foundation for both new learners and seasoned developers. For more insights, visit itprotoday.com .
Library Enhancements
Stream Gatherers
The introduction of Stream Gatherers (JEP 485) enriches the Stream API, allowing for custom intermediate operations that offer more flexibility in data transformations. This enhancement is a boon for developers who frequently work with large data sets or complex data processing pipelines.
Example:
List<String> data = List.of("apple", "banana", "cherry");
// Example: Gather strings by their first character
var result = data.stream()
.gather(Gatherers.groupingBy(s -> s.substring(0, 1)))
.collect(Collectors.toMap(
entry -> entry.getKey(),
entry -> entry.getValue().collect(Collectors.toList())
));
// Print result
result.forEach((k, v) -> System.out.println(k + ": " + v));
Stream Gatherers provide a streamlined approach to handling data transformations, making code more concise and efficient.
Scoped Values
In its fourth preview, Scoped Values (JEP 487) enable methods to share immutable data within a thread and its child threads, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional thread-local variables.
Example:
import java.lang.ScopedValue;
public class ScopedValueExample {
// Define a ScopedValue
private static final ScopedValue<String> USERNAME = ScopedValue.newInstance();
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Bind the ScopedValue and run a block
ScopedValue.where(USERNAME, "alice").run(() -> {
greetUser();
// Start a virtual thread that also sees the ScopedValue
Thread.startVirtualThread(() -> {
greetUser();
});
// Start a platform thread that also sees the ScopedValue
new Thread(() -> {
// This will not see the ScopedValue unless it's passed explicitly
greetUser();
}).start();
});
// Outside the scope: ScopedValue is not bound
greetUser();
}
private static void greetUser() {
if (ScopedValue.isBound(USERNAME)) {
System.out.println("Hello, " + USERNAME.get() + "!");
} else {
System.out.println("Hello, guest!");
}
}
}
This feature enhances data sharing across threads without the overhead associated with thread-local variables, improving performance in concurrent applications.
Vector API
The Vector API (JEP 489) allows developers to perform vector computations that translate to optimized CPU instructions. This is crucial for performance-intensive tasks, such as AI inference.
Example:
import jdk.incubator.vector.FloatVector;
import jdk.incubator.vector.VectorSpecies;
public class VectorApiExample {
// Define the preferred species for the current platform
private static final VectorSpecies<Float> SPECIES = FloatVector.SPECIES_PREFERRED;
public static void main(String[] args) {
float[] a = {1.0f, 2.0f, 3.0f, 4.0f, 5.0f, 6.0f, 7.0f, 8.0f};
float[] b = {8.0f, 7.0f, 6.0f, 5.0f, 4.0f, 3.0f, 2.0f, 1.0f};
float[] result = new float[a.length];
int i = 0;
int upperBound = SPECIES.loopBound(a.length);
// Vectorized loop
for (; i < upperBound; i += SPECIES.length()) {
var va = FloatVector.fromArray(SPECIES, a, i);
var vb = FloatVector.fromArray(SPECIES, b, i);
var vr = va.add(vb); // Vector addition
vr.intoArray(result, i);
}
// Scalar fallback for remaining elements
for (; i < a.length; i++) {
result[i] = a[i] + b[i];
}
// Output result
for (float f : result) {
System.out.print(f + " ");
}
}
}
This API enhances performance by leveraging hardware acceleration for vector operations, essential for high-performance computing.
Structured Concurrency
Structured Concurrency (JEP 499) simplifies concurrent programming by treating related tasks as a single unit of work. This approach simplifies error handling and task cancellation.
Example:
try (var scope = new StructuredTaskScope.ShutdownOnFailure()) {
Future<String> future1 = scope.fork(task1);
Future<String> future2 = scope.fork(task2);
scope.join();
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
This feature streamlines concurrent programming, making it easier to manage complex task dependencies. For more details, visit oracle.com .
Security Enhancements
Key Derivation Function API
Java 24 introduces a preview API for Key Derivation Functions (JEP 478), which support cryptographic algorithms for deriving additional keys from a secret key and other data. This feature enhances security by providing robust cryptographic functions for key management.
Example:
import javax.crypto.KeyDerivationFunction;
import javax.crypto.SecretKey;
import javax.crypto.spec.PBEKeySpec;
import javax.crypto.spec.PBKDF2Params;
import java.security.SecureRandom;
import java.util.HexFormat;
public class KDFExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
// User password
char[] password = "s3cr3t-pass".toCharArray();
// Generate random salt
byte[] salt = new byte[16];
SecureRandom random = new SecureRandom();
random.nextBytes(salt);
// Set PBKDF2 parameters
int iterationCount = 100_000;
int keyLengthBits = 256;
PBKDF2Params params = new PBKDF2Params(salt, iterationCount, keyLengthBits);
// Create the KDF instance
KeyDerivationFunction kdf = KeyDerivationFunction.getInstance("PBKDF2WithHmacSHA256");
kdf.init(params);
// Derive the key
SecretKey derivedKey = kdf.deriveKey("PBKDF2", new PBEKeySpec(password));
// Output the derived key in hex
byte[] keyBytes = derivedKey.getEncoded();
System.out.println("Derived key: " + HexFormat.of().formatHex(keyBytes));
}
}
This API provides a standardized approach to key derivation, aligning with modern security practices.
Quantum-Resistant Cryptography
To address future quantum computing threats, Java 24 introduces quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, including a lattice-based key encapsulation mechanism (JEP 496) and digital signature algorithm (JEP 497). Here is an example using Bouncy Castle’s implementation.
Example:
import java.security.*;
import org.bouncycastle.jcajce.provider.BouncyCastleFipsProvider;
import org.bouncycastle.pqc.jcajce.spec.SPHINCSPlusParameterSpec;
import org.bouncycastle.pqc.jcajce.interfaces.SPHINCSPlusKey;
public class SphincsPlusExample {
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
// Add BouncyCastle as a security provider
Security.addProvider(new BouncyCastleFipsProvider());
// Key pair generation
KeyPairGenerator kpg = KeyPairGenerator.getInstance("SPHINCSPlus", "BCFIPS");
kpg.initialize(SPHINCSPlusParameterSpec.sha2_128f); // or sha2_192f, sha2_256f, etc.
KeyPair keyPair = kpg.generateKeyPair();
// Message to sign
byte[] message = "Post-Quantum Java is here!".getBytes();
// Sign the message
Signature signer = Signature.getInstance("SPHINCSPlus", "BCFIPS");
signer.initSign(keyPair.getPrivate());
signer.update(message);
byte[] signature = signer.sign();
// Verify the signature
Signature verifier = Signature.getInstance("SPHINCSPlus", "BCFIPS");
verifier.initVerify(keyPair.getPublic());
verifier.update(message);
boolean valid = verifier.verify(signature);
System.out.println("Signature valid? " + valid);
}
}
These algorithms provide enhanced security by resisting quantum attacks, ensuring long-term data protection. For further reading, explore oracle.com .
Java 24’s security enhancements reflect a proactive approach to addressing emerging technological threats, ensuring that the platform remains secure and resilient in the face of future challenges.
Performance and Runtime Improvements
Compact Object Headers
JEP 450 introduces compact object headers, an experimental feature that reduces object header sizes on 64-bit architectures. This can lead to decreased heap sizes and improved data locality, enhancing application performance.
Example:
// Enable compact object headers via JVM option
// java -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+UseCompactObjectHeaders
This feature is particularly beneficial for applications with large numbers of small objects, as it optimizes memory usage.
ZGC Enhancements
The Z Garbage Collector (ZGC) has been improved by removing the non-generational mode (JEP 490), running in generational mode by default. This enhances garbage collection efficiency, reducing pause times and improving application responsiveness.
Example:
// Enable ZGC with generational mode
// java -XX:+UseZGC MyApplication
These enhancements make ZGC more efficient, catering to high-throughput applications that require minimal latency.
Java 24’s performance and runtime improvements significantly enhance the efficiency and scalability of Java applications, ensuring they can meet the demands of contemporary computing environments. For more insights, check out the Oracle documentation .
Conclusion
Java 24 represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of the Java platform, addressing the needs of modern developers through a comprehensive suite of features. From language enhancements that streamline coding practices, to library updates that enhance data processing capabilities, and security features that future-proof applications against quantum threats, Java 24 is designed to empower developers like never before.
The introduction of new APIs and improvements in performance, such as the optimized use of virtual threads and efficient garbage collection, make Java 24 an essential upgrade for anyone looking to leverage the full potential of modern computing architectures. Whether you’re developing AI-driven applications or ensuring your software is ready for the next wave of technological advancements, Java 24 provides the tools you need to succeed.
I hope this exploration of Java 24’s new features has been both informative and inspiring. As always, I encourage you to dive into these new capabilities and see how they can enhance your own projects. For more detailed information, make sure to consult the official Oracle release notes and other trusted sources. Happy coding, and I’m excited to see what you’ll create with Java 24!
