The latest version of Java, JDK 24, has arrived, packed with a record 24 new features that promise to revolutionize the way developers work with the platform. Since the introduction of the time-based release schedule in 2018, Java has been on a six-month release cycle, and JDK 24 is no exception. This latest release is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the largest number of new features since the schedule was introduced.

Among the 24 new features, six stand out as particularly significant for developers and users. One of the most exciting is JEP 483, Ahead-of-Time Class Loading and Linking, which is part of the wider Project Leyden. This project aims to reduce the startup time associated with Java applications by making classes instantly available in a loaded and linked state when the JVM starts. This innovation avoids the overhead of repeatedly loading, verifying, and linking class files every time an application starts, resulting in faster performance.

Another notable feature is JEP 485, Stream Gatherers, which allows developers to implement custom intermediate operations in the Stream API. This enhancement provides greater flexibility and control over the Stream API, making it more functional and efficient. The Stream API, introduced in JDK 8, has been a game-changer for Java developers, and this update takes it to the next level.

In a move that may raise some eyebrows, JEP 486, Permanently Disable the Security Manager, removes functionality from the JDK. However, this change is not as alarming as it sounds. The security manager, which has been part of Java since its inception, was primarily used for executing remotely loaded code and has not been the primary means of securing client-side Java for a long time. Its removal is seen as a maintenance cost reduction, and its deprecation in JDK 17 has now been followed by its complete removal in JDK 24.

Virtual threads, introduced in JDK 21, have been enhanced with JEP 491, Synchronize Virtual Threads without Pinning. This update resolves the limitation of virtual threads being blocked when using synchronized methods or blocks, allowing for greater scalability and performance in applications that use the thread-per-request programming model.

Two additional features worth mentioning are JEP 498, Warn upon Use of Memory-Access Methods in sun.misc.Unsafe, and JEP 501, Deprecate the 32-bit x86 Port for Removal. The former warns developers when using memory-access methods in sun.misc.Unsafe, which are now available through public APIs provided by the VarHandle API and the Foreign Function & Memory API. The latter deprecates the 32-bit x86 port, which only affects the Linux version, as the Windows version was removed in JDK 21.

In conclusion, JDK 24 is a significant release that demonstrates the Java platform's continued commitment to innovation and improvement. With its record-breaking 24 new features, JDK 24 is poised to make a substantial impact on the Java development community. As Simon Ritter, deputy CTO and Java champion at Azul, notes, "JDK 24 continues moving the Java platform forward, delivering the features developers and users will find helpful. Expect more of the same in JDK 25 (the next long-term support release) and beyond."