java: Oracle announces Java 18, brings new capabilities – Times of India

Oracle has announced the availability of Java 18, the latest version of what is claimed to be the world’s number one programming language and development platform. Java 18 is the latest release under Java’s six-month release cadence and is, as per the company, the result of collaboration between Oracle engineers and other members of the worldwide Java developer community via the OpenJDK Project and the Java Community Process (JCP). It includes updates for code libraries and tools as well as previews for technologies that are currently in development.
What’s new
The latest Java Development Kit (JDK) provides updates and improvements with nine JDK Enhancement Proposals (JEPs). These include the capability to add Code Snippets in Java API Documentation (JEP 413), which simplifies the addition of sample source code in API documentation, and Simple Web Server (JEP 408) for prototyping and testing. Developers can explore two incubating modules: the Vector API (JEP 417) and the Foreign Function and Memory API (JEP 419), as well as a preview feature: Pattern Matching for Switch (JEP 420). According to Oracle, JDK 18 “delivers thousands of performance, stability, and security improvements.”
Prasad Subramanian, senior director of engineering, OCI Product Development, Oracle India, “Java is the # 1 programming language in the world today and will be the # 1 language developers expect to use in the future. there exist 56 billion Java Virtual machines (JVM) globally and 34 billion cloud based JVMs. Java 18 is delivering a rich pipeline of new features, maintaining a ‘Java Feel’ while addressing all new challenges and opportunities. Many different Java projects are underway – Amber, Leyden, loom, Panama, Valhalla and many more. Oracle has been the leading author and contributor of Java technology. In fact, we have been the leading sponsor and steward of the Java ecosystem. You can say, we are leading platform innovation with all the work we do on Java.”
Talking about usage of Java in India, Saravanan P, Cloud Engineering Leader, Oracle India, said, “In India, customers are using Java very widely in developing their applications. It is the most commonly used programming language. Be it for micro services or cloud native applications, customers and even ISVs in India use Java. Let me give some examples: applications that are in use today eg. payments or mobile and internet banking or UPI or risk management or even new age AI and ML solutions – all use Java as their programming language. Large enterprises are seeing value from Java and even from Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). A large part of OCI runs of Java, with this we can provide customers with automatic patch updates, security, scalability, and better management of their services. India is witnessing very high demand.”