Java News Roundup: Big Developments in JDK 24, 25, Jakarta EE 11, and Spring Cloud!

This week's Java roundup for December 2, 2024, is packed with exciting updates from the Java ecosystem! Here’s what you need to know:

JDK 24: Entering the Rampdown Phase!

JDK 24 has officially entered Rampdown Phase One, as announced by Mark Reinhold, Chief Architect of the Java Platform Group at Oracle. This key milestone means that the JDK source repository is now frozen for additions, focusing instead on stability and bug fixes. Notable features set to be included in the General Availability (GA) release in March 2025 are:

- Generational Shenandoah (Experimental) - Compact Object Headers (Experimental) - Key Derivation Function API (Preview) - Flexible Constructor Bodies (Third Preview)

Developers eager for the latest updates can download Build 27 of the early access builds, which comes with critical bug fixes from the previous builds.

JDK 25 Expert Group Formed!

The future looks bright for Java developers as the JDK 25 Expert Group has been officially formed, comprising members from notable companies like Azul Systems, Oracle, Red Hat, and SAP SE. This group will guide the development of Java SE 25 towards its anticipated GA release in September 2025, following a public review slated for mid-2025.

Jakarta EE 11 Core Profile Released!

Exciting news from the Jakarta EE community! The Jakarta EE 11 Core Profile has been ratified and is ready for release, marking a significant milestone. This independent release underscores the community's success in untangling dependencies among the Jakarta EE specifications, allowing for a more modular approach. Anticipation is building for the Platform and Web Profile specifications, which are expected to be ratified soon.

Spring Framework Updates: Moorgate is Here!

Just a week after the release of Spring Cloud 2023.0.4, the highly-anticipated Spring Cloud 2024.0.0, codenamed Moorgate, has been launched! This version includes crucial updates and bug fixes across various sub-projects, ensuring that developers can build robust cloud-native applications with ease. Don’t miss the new features in Spring Tools version 4.27.0, which enhance support for the Spring Boot @ConditionalOnProperty annotation!

Updates Across the Java Ecosystem

- GlassFish: The latest maintenance release (7.0.20) addresses key issues, including a fix for session timeouts affecting the Admin Console. - GraalVM: Version 0.10.4 of Native Build Tools has been released, improving interoperability with GraalVM Native Image. - Open Liberty: Version 24.0.0.12 includes support for MicroProfile 7.0 and tackles a significant vulnerability. - Quarkus: Quarkus 3.17.3 is here, bringing vital improvements and bug fixes. - Apache Camel: Version 4.9.0 introduces new features like OAuth2 support, facilitating smoother application development. - Java Operator SDK: The beta 5.0.0 release comes with exciting enhancements for Kubernetes resource management.

Keycloak and JetBrains Ktor Updates

Discover the latest features in the seventh maintenance release of Keycloak (26.0.7) and new advancements from JetBrains Ktor, which are sure to elevate your development experience.

Stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to share your thoughts on these developments! The Java community continues to evolve rapidly, and these enhancements are setting the stage for a powerful future in software development.