Java 11 and Java 17 compatibility

Lillian 22 Published: 12/06/2024

Java 11 and Java 17 compatibility

I apologize for the initial misunderstanding! I'll respond in English as requested.

Regarding Java compatibility, both Java 11 (released in 2018) and Java 17 (released in 2021) are part of the Oracle JDK series. Here's a brief overview of each version:

Java 11 (August 2018)

Released under the name "Oracle JDK 11", this version brought significant improvements to the language, including:

Local variable type inference: Introduces a new feature called "var" that allows developers to declare local variables without specifying their types. Switch expressions: Enhances the switch statement by allowing it to return an expression value instead of just being a simple control flow mechanism. Text block literals: Allows Java developers to write longer, multiline string literals using triple quotes (""") instead of concatenating multiple strings.

Java 17 (September 2021)

Dubbed "Oracle JDK 17", this version includes:

Pattern matching for instanceof: Introduces a new way to use pattern matching with the instanceof operator, making it easier to work with polymorphic code. Sealed classes and interfaces: Allows developers to define classes or interfaces that can be extended by specific subclasses or implementors. Improved Garbage Collection for JDK 17: Enhances the JVM's garbage collection mechanisms, leading to improved memory management and reduced pause times.

Both Java 11 and Java 17 are compatible with each other, allowing you to use features from either version in your codebase. However, keep in mind that some APIs or libraries might not be fully compatible with newer versions due to changes made between releases.

When choosing which version to use for a project, consider factors such as:

Targeted Java version: Determine the minimum required Java version for your project. Compatibility requirements: Assess whether specific dependencies, libraries, or APIs require older versions of Java. Desired language features: Choose the version that best supports the Java features you need for your project.

Remember to check the documentation and release notes for each version to ensure smooth compatibility and a hassle-free development experience!

Java 17 new features since 8

I'm happy to respond in English for you!

Java 17, which was released in September 2021, brings numerous improvements and new features to the language. Let me highlight some of the most notable ones:

Pattern Matching for instanceof

In Java 17, pattern matching has been extended to work with the instanceof keyword. This allows developers to use patterns when checking the type of an object. For example:

if (obj instanceof String str) {

System.out.println("It's a string: " + str);

}

This new feature simplifies code and makes it more readable by allowing you to extract values from the object being checked.

New Records

Java 17 introduces records, which are a new kind of class that simplifies creating immutable data carrier classes. Records can be used to represent simple data structures, such as points or coordinates. They provide an easy way to create immutable objects with concise syntax.

For example:

record Point(int x, int y) {}

This record represents a 2D point and provides getter methods for the x and y fields.

Sealed Classes

Sealed classes are a new feature that allows you to restrict the subclassing of a class. You can specify which classes are allowed to extend a sealed class using the permits keyword.

For example:

sealed abstract class Color permits Red, Green, Blue {}

non-sealed record Red() implements Color {}

non-sealed record Green() implements Color {}

non-sealed record Blue() implements Color {}

In this example, only Red, Green, and Blue are allowed to extend the Color sealed class.

Text Blocks

Java 17 introduces text blocks, which allow you to write multiline strings using triple quotes ("""). This feature is useful for creating README files or other types of documentation that require complex string formatting.

For example:

String documentation = """

This is a sample text block.

It can span multiple lines and include any characters you like.""";

Improvements in Java 17

In addition to the new features mentioned above, Java 17 includes numerous improvements, such as:

Better performance: Java 17 has been optimized for better performance, including improved garbage collection and thread scheduling. Improved security: Java 17 includes several security enhancements, such as better handling of unsigned integers and improved validation of method signatures. Enhanced tooling: Java 17 supports advanced tooling features like JEP 411: Remove the Abstract Variable Hiding (AVH) feature, which simplifies code analysis and debugging.

These are just a few highlights from Java 17. If you're interested in learning more about this exciting new version of Java, I encourage you to explore the official Java documentation or take an online course to get started!