Java LTS

Henna 188 Published: 08/08/2024

Java LTS

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Java Long-Term Support (LTS) is a version of the Java programming language that is supported by Oracle Corporation for a longer period than regular releases. The primary goal of Java LTS is to provide stability, security, and predictability for enterprise applications.

Oracle typically releases a new major version of Java every 6-12 months, but they also offer an LTS version with a more extended support period. This means that the LTS version will receive updates, bug fixes, and security patches for a longer period than regular releases.

Here are some key benefits of using Java LTS:

Longer Support Period: Oracle provides LTS versions with a minimum of 5 years of support, which is significantly longer than regular releases. This ensures that your application remains stable and secure even if new technologies emerge or old ones become outdated. Predictable Maintenance: With an LTS version, you can expect predictable maintenance cycles, including regular updates, bug fixes, and security patches. This reduces the uncertainty and stress associated with maintaining complex systems. Improved Security: Java LTS versions receive priority attention for security vulnerabilities, ensuring that your application is protected against known threats. This is particularly important for enterprise applications handling sensitive data. Better Compatibility: LTS versions are often backward-compatible, allowing you to maintain existing code and dependencies without significant changes. This reduces the risk of breaking existing functionality during upgrades. Easier Migration: When a new major version of Java is released, it's usually easier to migrate your application to the latest LTS version. This allows you to take advantage of new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements while minimizing disruption.

In summary, Java LTS provides a reliable foundation for building and maintaining robust, scalable, and secure enterprise applications. By choosing an LTS version, you can enjoy a longer support period, predictable maintenance, improved security, better compatibility, and easier migration to future versions.

Java 17 is the current LTS version, which was released in September 2022. It's designed for production use and provides a stable foundation for building Java-based applications. If you're considering using Java for your next project or upgrading an existing application, I recommend exploring Java LTS and its benefits further!

What is the current LTS version of Java?

I'd be happy to provide you with that information!

The latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version of Java is Java 11, also known as "Oracle JDK 11". This version was released in April 2018 and will receive support until December 2021.

Java 11 introduced several new features and improvements, such as:

Unicode 11 support: Java 11 includes the latest Unicode standard, which provides support for 143,859 characters. Improved Garbage Collection (G1): The G1 garbage collector has been enhanced with better pause prediction and concurrent refinement phases. HTTP/2 support in the HttpClient API: This version of Java includes a new HttpClient implementation that supports HTTP/2 protocol. Lambda expressions in switch expressions: You can now use lambda expressions in switch expressions to simplify your code.

Some notable APIs have also been updated or improved, such as:

The OpenJDK ILOpenJDK has been moved into the JDK source tree. Support for the AArch64 (ARM64) and MIPS architectures has been added. Several improvements to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), including better low-memory conditions handling.

In addition to these new features, Java 11 also includes bug fixes and other performance improvements. This LTS version is recommended for use in production environments, especially those that require stability and predictability.

It's worth noting that Oracle also provides a list of "critical patch updates" (CPU) for each Java version, which helps ensure the security of your application.

In conclusion, if you're looking for an LTS version of Java, Java 11 is the way to go. It offers a great balance between new features and stability, making it suitable for most production environments.

References:

Oracle JDK 11 Documentation Java 11 Features and Enhancements Oracle Critical Patch Updates (CPU) for Java