Oracle has announced plans to release Java Development Kit (JDK) 24, which will include 21 features aimed at enhancing security and performance. The upcoming release is set to introduce quantum-resistant cryptography features, including a module-lattice-based digital signature algorithm and a module-lattice-based key encapsulation mechanism, to secure Java against future quantum computing attacks.

Other notable features in JDK 24 include flexible constructor bodies, ahead-of-time class loading and linking, and improvements to the Shenandoah garbage collector. The release will also remove the 32-bit x86 port, synchronize virtual threads without pinning, and introduce a key derivation function API. With a focus on security and performance, JDK 24 is expected to have a significant impact on the tech and startup community.

Java 24 is designated as a non-long-term support (LTS) release, with only six months of premier-level support from Oracle. Early access builds of JDK 24 are available at jdk.java.net, and the final release is expected on March 18, 2025. As the tech and startup community prepares for the next generation of Java, JDK 24 is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of software development.