Is Java 17 still supported?

Terence 122 Published: 09/07/2024

Is Java 17 still supported?

I'll respond in English since you specifically asked for it.

Java 17 is the latest version of the Java programming language, released on September 14, 2022. Oracle, the company behind Java, provides support for this version, which means that they continue to maintain and update it to ensure its stability and security.

In terms of official support, Oracle generally supports each major version of Java (e.g., Java 11, Java 15, Java 17) for a period of at least three years after the initial release. This means that Java 17 will likely remain supported until at least September 2025, when it would reach its three-year milestone.

During this support period, Oracle typically provides:

Bug fixes: Oracle addresses reported issues and security vulnerabilities in Java 17, ensuring that the language remains stable and secure. Security updates: As new security threats emerge, Oracle releases updates to patch vulnerabilities and prevent exploits. Performance improvements: The company may release performance enhancements or optimizations to improve Java 17's overall speed and efficiency.

In addition to official support from Oracle, the Java community also plays a significant role in maintaining and updating Java 17 through open-source projects like OpenJDK (Open Java Development Kit). These efforts ensure that the language remains compatible with various platforms, frameworks, and tools.

While Java 18 is already available, which means that Java 17 is not the latest version anymore, it still enjoys official support from Oracle. This does not mean that you cannot use Java 18; quite the opposite, in fact! As the newest major release of Java, Java 18 comes with exciting features and improvements, such as records, pattern matching, and improved performance.

In summary, Java 17 is still supported by Oracle, which means it will continue to receive bug fixes, security updates, and performance enhancements for at least three years after its initial release. As the Java ecosystem continues to evolve, you can rest assured that your projects built with Java 17 will remain stable and secure throughout their lifespan.

Is Java 17 and JDK 17 the same?

No, Java 17 and JDK 17 are not exactly the same thing, although they are closely related.

Java is a programming language, designed to be simple, efficient, and scalable. It was first released in 1995 by Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle Corporation). The latest version of the Java language is Java 17, which was released in September 2021.

JDK, on the other hand, stands for Java Development Kit. It's a software development kit that includes everything you need to compile, run, and debug Java programs. A JDK typically contains:

Java Runtime Environment (JRE): This is what runs Java programs. Java Compiler (javac): This compiles Java source code into bytecode that the JRE can execute. Debugging tools: These include tools like jdb for debugging and jstack for inspecting thread stacks.

In other words, a JDK is what you need to develop, test, and run Java applications. The JDK provides the necessary tools and runtime environment for building Java programs.

Now, here's the important part: when Oracle released Java 17, they also released OpenJDK 17 (a.k.a. JDK 17). This means that OpenJDK 17 is a JDK that includes Java 17 as its default Java language version. In other words, OpenJDK 17 is a development kit for building applications using the Java 17 programming language.

So, to summarize:

Java 17 refers specifically to the latest version of the Java programming language. JDK 17 (OpenJDK 17) refers to a software development kit that includes everything you need to develop, test, and run Java applications using the Java 17 programming language.

In practice, when you download or install JDK 17, you're getting both the Java 17 language and the tools you need to work with it.