LTS means Long-term support. As of March 2023, the following Java LTS versions are available:
- Java 17 (released September 14, 2021)
- Java 11 (released September 20, 2018)
- Java 8 (released March 18, 2014)
Oracle provides extended support for LTS versions for a period of 8 years. This means that Java 17 will be supported until September 2029, Java 11 will be supported until September 2026, and Java 8 will be supported until September 2030.
LTS versions are a good choice for applications that need to be supported for a long period of time. They are also a good choice for applications that need to be portable, as they are supported on a wide range of platforms.
Java LTS versions and their support periods
| Java Version | Release Date | Support Till |
|---|---|---|
| Java 17 | September 14, 2021 | September 20, 2029 |
| Java 11 | September 20, 2018 | September 20, 2026 |
| Java 8 | March 18, 2014 | September 20, 2030 |
Java 8 Features
Java 8 is a long-term support (LTS) version of the Java platform, released on March 18, 2014. It offers a number of new features and improvements over previous versions of Java, including:
- Lambda expressions
Lambda expressions are a new feature that allows you to write concise and expressive code. They can be used to create anonymous functions that can be passed to methods or used in expressions.
- Functional interfaces
A functional interface is an interface that has only one abstract method. Functional interfaces are used with lambda expressions and streams.
- Stream API
The Stream API is a new API that provides a way to operate on collections of data in a declarative way. This can make your code more concise and readable, and it can also improve performance.
- Default methods
Default methods are a new feature that allows you to add new functionality to interfaces without breaking existing code. This can be used to make interfaces more flexible and reusable.
- Optional class
The Optional class is a new class that represents the absence of a value. This can be used to avoid null pointer exceptions and to make your code more readable.
- Date and time API
The Date and Time API is a new API that provides a more modern and efficient way to work with dates and times. It can be used to improve the performance and readability of your code.
- Nashorn JavaScript engine
The Nashorn JavaScript engine is a new JavaScript engine that is integrated into the Java platform. This can be used to run JavaScript code from within Java applications.
- JShell
JShell is a new interactive shell that allows you to explore the Java platform. It can be used to learn about the Java language and API, and it can also be used to write and test Java code.
Java 8 is a significant upgrade over previous versions of Java, and it offers a number of new features and improvements that can make Java applications more efficient, scalable, and secure.
Java 11 Features
Java 11 is a long-term support (LTS) version of the Java platform, released on September 20, 2018. It offers a number of new features and improvements over previous versions of Java, including:
- A new HTTP client API that provides a more efficient and flexible way to access web resources
The new HTTP Client API provides a more efficient and flexible way to access web resources. It supports a number of new features, including Asynchronous requests, Redirect handling, Cookie management, and HTTP/2 support.
- A new File I/O API for reading and writing strings to and from files
The new File I/O API provides a more efficient and flexible way to read and write strings to and from files. It supports a number of new features, including Asynchronous file I/O, Buffered I/O, and Character encoding support.
- A new flight recorder that can be used to collect diagnostic information about Java applications
The new Flight Recorder is a diagnostic tool that can be used to collect information about Java applications. It can be used to collect information about Garbage collection, CPU usage, Memory usage, and Thread activity.
- A new garbage collector that is designed to be more efficient and scalable
The new Epsilon Garbage Collector is a no-op garbage collector that is designed to be used for short-lived applications. It is a good choice for applications that do not require a lot of memory or that are not sensitive to garbage collection pauses.
- A number of new language features, including local-variable syntax for lambda parameters and nested-based access control.
Java 11 is a significant upgrade over previous versions of Java, and it offers a number of new features and improvements that can make Java applications more efficient, scalable, and secure.
Java 17 Features
Java 17 is a significant upgrade over previous versions of Java, and it offers a number of new features and improvements that can make Java applications more efficient, scalable, and secure.
- Switch Pattern Matching
Switch pattern matching is a new feature that allows you to match against patterns in switch statements. This can make your code more concise and readable.
- Sealed Classes
Sealed classes are a new feature that allows you to restrict the subclasses that can be created from a class. This can be used to prevent unexpected behavior or to improve security.
- Foreign Function & Memory API
The Foreign Function & Memory API is an experimental API that allows Java programs to interact with code and data outside of the Java runtime. This can be used to call native libraries and process native data.
- Vector API
The Vector API is an experimental API that provides a high-performance way to operate on vectors. This can be used to improve the performance of applications that need to work with large amounts of data.
- Deserialization Filters
Deserialization filters are a new feature that allows you to control how objects are deserialized. This can be used to improve security or to prevent unexpected behavior.
- Other Enhancements
Java 17 also includes a number of other enhancements, including improved performance, reduced memory usage, and new security features
Further Readings
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One thought on “What’s New in Java LTS Versions?”
You have jotted it down very nicely! Kudos 👍 Even though Java 17 is latest, I guess mostly people are using Java 11 only!