Java is a popular and widely used programming language that has evolved significantly. With each new release, Java brings along numerous enhancements and features, making it imperative for developers to stay up-to-date with the latest versions. One such transition worth considering is migrating from Java 8 to Java 17.
According to a recent survey, 53% of Java developers are already using Java 17, and this number is expected to grow in the coming years.
In this blog post, we will explore seven compelling reasons why you should make the move and take advantage of the latest Java 17 features.
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Why Migrate From Java 8 to Java 17?
A migration from Java 8 to Java 17 brings performance enhancements, language improvements, security updates, better tool support, bug fixes, and long-term support. As a result, you can make use of newer Java features. Let’s explore some of the most compelling reasons to migrate from Java 8 to Java 17.
1. Improved Performance
The latest version of Java illustrates the Java Virtual Machines (JVM) speed with optimizing features such as ahead-of-time (AOT) which enhances Java Program performance and reduces the startup time of Java Virtual Machines (JVM). It also strengthens the just-in-time compilation (JIT) mechanisms, which gives users more responsiveness, making Java applications more efficient and faster.
Imagine you have a web application that loads pages faster after being upgraded to Java 17. Users can access content faster and have a seamless browsing experience as a result.
2. Language-Level Enhancement
Improvements to Java 17 include pattern matching for switch statements and sealed classes and interfaces. The latest features of Java 17 will make your code clearer, more concise, and more justifiable.
For example, Here are some Java 17 language-level enhancements, including Pattern Matching for switch cases, Sealed Classes, and Interfaces. It improves code clarity and reduces errors. Let’s create a method that takes an object and performs different activities according to its type. With Java 17, you can use Pattern Matching directly in the switch statement. As a result, typecasting will no longer be necessary.
3. Long-Term Support (LTS)
The latest version of Java 17 has long-term support (LTS), which extends support for applications developed by Java users. Furthermore, the version ensures the user’s applications are well organized and maintained in the platform.
Suppose you are building a business application that needs to be maintained and updated regularly. If you switch from Java 8 to Java 17, your Java application will still be compatible with future Java releases as compared to the previous version.
4. Increased Security
Every developer is always looking for the best features with high reliability and security for their applications. Upgraded security features in Java 17 ensure the integrity of Java applications and protect users’ data.
Additionally, you can make your applications more robust, reliable, and less vulnerable to security threats. To improve security, it resolves known security vulnerabilities in the previous Java version. A secure application reduces the risk of unauthorized access and prevents malicious attacks.
Imagine that you have an e-commerce Java application that handles sensitive customer information, now you upgrade to Java 17, which will strengthen security measures and ensure the user data is protected from various attacks, including data breaches and unauthorized access.
5. Community and Resources
The advancing technology era brings more advancements within the exciting inbuilt classes and their magical features. Java 17 supports a broader range of applications than Java 8 and allows developers to access a vibrant Java developer community due to its features compared to Java 8. This version community provides collaboration, support, and a well-being environment for both users and developers. The new version of this program adds more learning and crazy Java features.
6. Extended APIs and Libraries
Inbuilt APIs and libraries of Java have already expanded features and functionality, enabling advanced applications to be developed daily, but Java 17 has an update with more enhanced functionalities from streaming data that processes the operations with appropriate methods like ‘Stream.toList()’, allowing for reactive programming by strengthening the JDBC API, increasing applications’ flexibility and capabilities.
Here’s an example to give you a better understanding of Java 17 features. You are a Java developer who wants to integrate the weather API into an application to retrieve and display current weather information. As a result, Java 17 extended APIs that make interacting with and retrieving data from web services more flexible and modern.
Most Interesting Add-on Features of Java 17
1. Stream.toList() Method
Java 17 introduces the exciting ‘toList()’ method. This allows developers to easily convert streams into lists without adding additional collectors or conversions. Java 17 improves performance, readability, simplicity, and pattern-matching integration. When developers work with streams in Java, it enhances the overall development experience.
2. Sealed Classes and Interfaces
This feature reduces the code lines, simplifies the interface, and enhances the code’s functionality. The following are some advantages of sealed classes and interfaces:
- Improves the readability and maintainability of code by making it clearer what classes or interfaces are meant to extend or implement a sealed type.
- API Evolution maintains backward compatibility while evolving APIs over time.
- Enhanced security and stability by explicitly specifying the allowed subclasses or implementers, reducing the chance of unintended or malicious code being introduced.
3. Improved JDBC API
The JDBC API in Java 17 has been improved with support for sharding, enhanced connection, improved DatabaseMetaData, stream of drivers, and support for enquoting literals and simple identifiers. These features can improve performance and scalability for large applications, help the driver to optimize its performance, write more efficient and portable JDBC code, make it easier to discover and use the right driver for your application and help to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Conclusion
Upgrading from Java 8 to Java 17 is a decision that promises an array of exciting advantages for Java developers. With its faster speed, enhanced flexibility, compatibility, and reliability, Java 17 opens up a world of possibilities for your applications. Embrace simplified coding and an improved development environment, while enjoying heightened security to safeguard your projects. By making this migration, you lay the groundwork for building robust and modern applications, unleashing the boundless power of Java 17 to supercharge your programming skills.
Take advantage of this opportunity to ignite your Java programming journey with the thrill of coding in Java 17. Embrace the future and embark on a new era of Java development!
