What’s New in Java LTS Versions?

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

• Java 6 vs Java 8
• Java 7 vs Java 8
• Java 8 vs Java 9 vs Java 10
• Java 8 vs Java 11 (Both LTS)

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