Future of Java
Java 17, also known as Java SE 17, was released in September 2021 and brought several new features to the programming language. Some of the notable additions include:
Records: Records are a new type of class that allows developers to define data structures with a concise syntax. They provide a clear and concise way to model data, making it easier to write and read code.
Pattern Matching for instanceof: This feature allows developers to use patterns to match the type of an object, making it easier to write type-safe and concise code.
Sealed Classes: Sealed classes allow developers to restrict the inheritance hierarchy of a class. This helps to prevent the creation of subclasses that do not conform to the desired behavior.
Hidden Classes: Hidden classes are classes that are not visible to other classes in the same module. They can only be accessed by their declaring class, which allows developers to hide implementation details and improve the performance of their code.
Java 18, also known as Java SE 18, is expected to be released in September 2022 and will likely bring even more new features to the language. Some of the possible additions include:
Reified Generics: This feature will allow developers to access the runtime type of a generic type. This will provide more type-safety and improve the performance of code that uses generics.
Enhanced Enums: Enhanced enums will allow developers to define enums with more complex behavior, such as implementing interfaces and defining constructors.
Concurrent Programming Enhancements: Java 18 is expected to include enhancements to the concurrency features of the language, such as improved support for thread-local variables and new concurrent data structures.
In the next two years, Java is expected to continue to evolve and add new features that will make it even more powerful and useful for developers. Some of the possible additions for the future include:
Improved support for functional programming: Java is expected to add new features that will make it easier for developers to write functional-style code, such as support for higher-order functions and improved type inference.
Better support for modularity: Java is expected to add new features that will make it easier for developers to create modular and reusable code, such as improved support for modularity in the language and better support for microservices.
Enhanced support for machine learning and artificial intelligence: Java is expected to add new features that will make it easier for developers to use machine learning and artificial intelligence in their code, such as improved support for deep learning frameworks and new libraries for data science.
Overall, the future looks bright for Java, with many new features and improvements expected in the coming years. These additions will make the language even more powerful and useful for developers, allowing them to write better, more efficient code.
Here a nice presentations about the Future of Java