Understanding Java Release Cycle and Versioning

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Java follows a time-driven release cycle, introducing new versions every six months, with Long-Term Support (LTS) releases every two years. LTS versions like Java 11, 17, and 21 receive updates for at least eight years, making them ideal for enterprise applications. Non-LTS versions, such as Java 12 and 13, offer early access to features but are supported for only six months. Java's versioning follows the format <major>.<minor>.<security>+<build>, ensuring consistency. This model benefits developers by providing frequent improvements to the language and JVM while maintaining stability through LTS releases. Organizations should choose LTS versions for reliability, while developers wanting the latest features can use interim releases. This approach keeps Java innovative yet stable.

Understanding Java Release Cycle and Versioning

Introduction

Java has adopted a time-driven release cycle, ensuring a steady flow of new features, improvements, and security updates. In this post, we will explore the Java release process, its versioning scheme, and what it means for developers.

1. Java Release Cadence

Since Java 10, Oracle has introduced a six-month release cycle for new Java versions, meaning a new version is released every March and September.

Key Release Types:

  • Feature Releases (Every 6 months)
  • Long-Term Support (LTS) Releases (Every 2 years)
  • Critical Patch Updates (CPU) (Security updates every quarter)

2. Long-Term Support (LTS) vs. Non-LTS Releases

  • LTS Releases (e.g., Java 11, Java 17, Java 21) receive updates for an extended period, typically at least 8 years.
  • Non-LTS Releases (e.g., Java 12, Java 13) receive updates for only 6 months before being superseded.

Example of Recent LTS Releases:

  • Java 8 (2014) – Still widely used but reaching end of support.
  • Java 11 (2018) – First LTS under the new release model.
  • Java 17 (2021) – Current widely adopted LTS.
  • Java 21 (2023) – Latest LTS release with major performance improvements.

3. Java Versioning Scheme

Java follows a predictable versioning pattern:

Java <major>.<minor>.<security>+<build>

For example:

  • Java 17.0.2+8 means Java 17, minor update 0, security patch 2, build 8.

4. Benefits of the New Release Model

Faster Innovation:

  • Developers get new language and JVM improvements every 6 months.

Predictable Updates:

  • Easier planning for teams relying on Java’s stability and security patches.

Better Performance:

  • Each version brings performance enhancements and improved garbage collection mechanisms.

5. Should You Upgrade?

  • If you need stability for enterprise applications → Stick to LTS versions.
  • If you want early access to new features → Use non-LTS releases.

Past few years

Over the past few years, Java has continued its biannual release cadence, introducing a series of enhancements and new features aimed at improving developer productivity, performance, and security. Here’s an overview of the notable features introduced in the recent Java versions:

Java 21 (September 2023)

Java 21 is a Long-Term Support (LTS) release that brought several significant updates:

  • Record Patterns (JEP 440): This feature extends pattern matching to destructure record class instances, enabling more concise and readable code when working with records.

  • Pattern Matching for Switch (JEP 441): Enhances the switch statement and expression with pattern matching capabilities, allowing for more flexible and expressive control flow based on the type and structure of the input.

  • Virtual Threads (JEP 436): Introduces lightweight, user-mode threads that aim to simplify concurrent programming by reducing the complexity and resource footprint associated with traditional Java threads.

  • Structured Concurrency (JEP 437): Simplifies the handling of multiple concurrent tasks by treating them as a single unit of work, thereby improving error handling and cancellation.

Java 22 (March 2024)

Continuing the trend of incremental improvements, Java 22 introduced:

  • Scoped Values (JEP 429): Provides a mechanism for sharing immutable data within and across threads in a safe and efficient manner, enhancing data sharing capabilities in concurrent applications.

  • Stream Gatherers (JEP 461 - Preview): Enhances the Stream API to support custom intermediate operations, allowing for more flexible data processing pipelines.

  • Foreign Function & Memory API (JEP 454): Stabilizes the API for interacting with native code and memory, facilitating better performance and interoperability with non-Java code.

Java 23 (September 2024):

The latest release, Java 23, focused on further language enhancements and performance optimizations:

  • Unnamed Patterns and Variables (JEP 443): Introduces unnamed patterns and variables to enhance the readability and maintainability of pattern matching constructs.

  • Sequenced Collections (JEP 431): Adds new collection interfaces to represent sequenced data structures, providing a more consistent and intuitive API for ordered collections.

  • Generational ZGC (JEP 439): Enhances the Z Garbage Collector with generational capabilities, improving performance for applications with high allocation rates.

These releases reflect Java’s ongoing commitment to evolving the language and platform to meet modern development needs, emphasizing performance, security, and developer ergonomics.

Conclusion

Java’s predictable release cycle ensures continuous innovation while providing stable LTS versions for enterprise use. Staying updated with Java’s releases allows developers to take advantage of performance improvements and new language features.

March 1, 2024 by blog.released.info