Java 21 💣💥

Java 21 is an explosive release! From virtual threads to pattern matching, from better APIs, GC, and tooling to exciting previews - it's a blast.

A large sign saying 'Maspalomas, Cosa Canaria' with the current temperature '21 °C'

Java 21 is an explosive release! The fuse was lit by projects Loom and Amber and 21 blows it up by finalizing virtual threads and all basic building blocks of pattern matching, thus bringing simple scalability to the platform and modern constructs to the language.

But it doesn't stop there: better APIs, better garbage collection, better tooling - particularly when you're coming from 17, the improvements will be ubiquitous. And beyond all that, Java 21 is fizzling with future: There are previews on string templates, a simplified main, pattern matching refinements, and improved concurrency with virtual threads. Not least, many vendors offer long-term support for their JDK 21 builds, so if you're on 17 or 11 (or 8?), this is the next version to upgrade to.

In this talk, we'll go over all that, so you can hit the ground running when updating to Java 21. Disclaimer: It will be a blast!

Upcoming Presentations

In the coming months, I'll present this talk at Devoxx Belgium. If you're there as well, I'd love to meet you - I'm always up for a chat. 😁 Just flag me down when you see me. (This includes chat rooms.)

Past Presentations

I gave this talk a few times before. See below for links to slides (as they were at that very event), videos, and other information.

2023

2022

2021

2020

2018

2017