Oracle Announces New Features and Performance Improvements for Java 24

Oracle has just announced the long-awaited roadmap for Java 24 for developers. Notable additions in this update include new capabilities for artificial intelligence (AI) and post-quantum cryptography. Java 24 is the first release in 2025; we can expect Java 25 to arrive in 6 months.

Speaking about Java 24, Oracle Java Platform Senior Vice President and OpenJDK Board Chairman Georges Saab said:

For 30 years, Java has provided developers with a comprehensive platform for building and deploying applications that address a wide range of use cases. With over 20 new features spanning every aspect of Java, including AI capabilities and post-quantum cryptography, Java 24 gives developers the tools they need to build innovative, AI-enabled applications. As stewards of Java, we are excited to work with the global Java community to continue delivering a steady stream of new features through a consistent six-month release cycle.

Here's an overview of some of the important new features in Java 24:

Language improvements:

• Primitive Types in Patterns : Extend pattern matching capabilities to include primitive data types in instanceof and switch.
• Flexible Constructor Bodies : Improve constructor reliability with separate prologue and epilogue phases.
• Module Import Declarations : Simplify importing module packages.
• Simple Source Files & Instance Main Methods : Create simpler entry points for beginners and compact programs.

Library improvements:

• Stream Gatherers : Enhance the Stream API with custom middleware operations.
• Class-File API : Standardized API for working with class files.
• Scoped Values ​​: Improves safe data sharing between threads.
• Vector API : Accelerates vector computation on supported CPUs.
• Structured Concurrency : Simplifies multithreaded programming.

Security Advancements:

• Key Derivation Function API : Enhanced cryptographic security.
• Quantum-Resistant Key Encapsulation (ML-KEM) : Ready for post-quantum cryptography.
• Quantum-Resistant Digital Signatures (ML-DSA) : Ready for post-quantum cryptography.

Performance and runtime:

• Compact Object Headers : Reduces the size of object headers for more efficient memory usage.
• Late Barrier Extension for G1 : Optimizes the G1 garbage collector.
• Ahead-of-Time Class Loading & Linking : Faster application launch.
• ZGC: Remove Non-Generational Mod e: Simplify ZGC maintenance.
• Synchronize Virtual Threads without Pinning : Improves virtual thread scalability.

Tools:

• Linking Run-Time Images without JMODs : Reduce JDK size and increase linking flexibility.

If you want to learn more about Java 24, Oracle has prepared an in-depth technical article . If you want to start using Java 24 right away, you can download JDK 24 from Oracle's download page.