Are you a software developer looking to get up to date on the latest version of Java? Perhaps you are a student trying to get a better understanding of different types of Java versions. Or maybe you’re just curious and want to know what all the fuss is about. Whatever your reason, this blog post is for you. We’ll give an overview of the different versions and their features so that you can make an informed decision.
Introduction to Java Versions
Java is one of the most popular programming languages, with versions ranging from Java 1.0 to the upcoming Java 16. It is a class-based, object-oriented language used for web development and Android apps. They named the first stable version of JDK “Oak,” which was JDK 1.0.2. Since then, there have been several releases of the language, each offering enhancements and features that make coding faster and easier. Java is renowned for its platform independence, which implies that code written on one platform can run on any other platform with the same architecture.
With the new versions of Java, developers can also take advantage of new language tools such as automatic memory management, concurrency libraries, and improved security. Java’s platform independence also makes it perfect for educational purposes as well. Beginners can apply the programming concepts they learn in Java to many other languages, making it a great introduction to programming.
Java Versions: JDK Alpha and Beta (1995)
The first version of the Java Development Kit (JDK) was the Alpha and Beta releases in 1995. These versions had highly unstable APIs and ABIs but marked the start of a new programming language that would revolutionize the industry. It was a major milestone in the history of Java programming language as it provided an easy way to write software that would run on multiple platforms. The Alpha and Beta releases set the foundation for further development of the language, which would eventually lead to more stable and improved versions in the coming years.
Java 1.0 to Java 5.0 (1996-2006)
Java 1.0 to Java 5.0 (1996-2006) marked a major evolution for the programming language. They released Oak, which was codenamed the first stable version of Java, as JDK 1.0 on January 23, 1996. They included the Java Language and Virtual Machine Specifications in the release of JDK 1.2 in 1998. Subsequently, they released J2SE 1.3, J2SE 1.4, and 5.0 with the Java Foundation Classes (JFC), which included Swing 1.0 and drag-and-drop capabilities in 2006. This era saw significant changes to the language that resulted in performance enhancements, increased security, and improved user experience for developers and end-users alike.
Java 6 to Java 8 Versions (2007-2014)
Java 6 to Java 8 (2007-2014) marked an important stage in the history of Java programming language. They released it in December 2006, and it was the most significant version of Java at that time. It introduced major updates to the language, such as a new scripting engine and support for generic types. The following year, Oracle released Java 7 which included the introduction of the invoke dynamic feature. This feature allowed developers to write code more efficiently and improved performance.
In March 2014, Oracle released Java 8, the last free software public update for commercial use. It included several new features such as lambda expressions, stream API, and a new date/time API. These updates allowed developers to write code in a more concise and efficient manner. Furthermore, Oracle continues to release no-cost public versions of JDK with features such as JDK 1.0, JDK 2.0, JDK 3, JDK 4, JavaSE 5, JavaSE 6, and JavaSE 7. At the end of 2017, they discontinued SAP JVM 6, and it is no longer available. However, Dynatrace currently offers open-ended support for versions 7 and 8.
Java 9 & 10 (2015-2017)
Java 9 and 10 were released in 2015 and 2017 respectively. The Java Platform Modules System was a major change to the Java language architecture that allowed developers to better organize their code. Java introduced the var keyword, which allowed developers to reduce the amount of code they had to write by eliminating the need to declare a specific data type in certain situations. These versions also saw improvements to garbage collection, security, and performance, as well as increased support for containers and microservices. Together, these two versions brought exciting new features that helped developers create more efficient applications.
Java Versions 11 & 12 (2018-2019)
In 2018 and 2019, Java 11 and 12 were released. Java 11 introduced new features such as the Epsilon garbage collector, local-variable syntax for lambda parameters, dynamic class-file constants, support for Unicode 10, and the ability to launch single-file source code programs. Java 12 added support for switching expressions and text blocks. Both versions provided long-term support (LTS) for a period of three years. These versions further strengthened the Java platform by adding features that made development faster, more efficient, and more secure.
Java 13 & 14 (2020-2021)
Java 13 and 14 were both released in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Both versions brought new features that made development easier, including the new switch expression, text blocks, and improved garbage collection. At least until September 2025, they support them as part of the LTS release cycle. Java 13 added features such as ZGC- a low latency garbage collector that can handle larger memory heaps and switch expressions for easier coding. Java 14 featured the highly anticipated text blocks for multi-line strings and pattern matching, for instance. Both versions provide much-improved performance and ease of use to the Java programmer.
Java Versions 15 & 16 (2022-2023)
Java 15 & 16 are the latest versions of Java, due to be released in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Both releases will bring a range of new language features, APIs, performance improvements, security enhancements, packaging changes, Javadoc updates, and Bytecode. Oracle has provided a Java SE Support Roadmap to help users understand the different support and maintenance options and timelines for each version. Additionally, you do not need to license Java for any product listed in Schedule B. As with all previous Java releases, developers should consider which version best meets their needs when deciding which version to use.
What Java Versions Should I Use?
When it comes to deciding which version of Java to use, it’s important to consider the project you’re working on. For example, if you’re starting out with Java. Then installing either Java SE 8 or Java SE 11. Java 9 and 10 are more suitable for experienced developers who are comfortable with newer features. Oracle provides a commercial version of the OpenJDK based on the same sources as the OpenJDK. So if you need a more reliable, tested, and enterprise-ready environment, then this may be a better option. Ultimately, the version of Java you choose should depend on your specific needs and requirements.
Java Programming Language History
Java has a long and fascinating history. It was first developed in 1991 by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems, Inc., with the aim of creating a virtual machine and an object-oriented language. The developers released the first version of Java, known as the JDK Alpha and Beta, in 1996. From then until 2006, they released Java 1.0 to Java 5.0. Followed by Java 6 to Java 8 from 2007 to 2014. Java 9 & 10 were released from 2015 to 2017, and then Java 11 & 12 from 2018 to 2019.
The current versions of Java are Java 13 & 14, which were released in 2020 and 2021 respectively. All these versions have provided different parts and powers for designers to work with. It is important for designers to keep up to date on which version of Java they should use for their projects.
Conclusion
The article has taken us on a journey through the evolution of the Java language from its earliest versions to the current ones. It is clear that Java has come a long way in terms of features and stability. And each new version brings improvements and new features that make development easier and more efficient. With the latest version of Java, developers can make use of modern features. Such as modularity, improved performance, and better security. As such, it is important for designers to stay up to date with the latest version of Java in order to take advantage of these features. With its versatility, scalability, and wide range of libraries and frameworks. It continues to be an important tool for software development.
