Will Java 21 be LTS?

Geoffrey 103 Published: 10/12/2024

Will Java 21 be LTS?

I'm happy to respond in English for this special request!

The Long-Term Support (LTS) release of Java is a significant milestone, as it ensures that the version will receive support and maintenance from Oracle for at least five years. This stability and predictability are essential for businesses and organizations relying on Java-based applications.

Regarding Java 21, it is expected to be an LTS release. Oracle has traditionally followed a predictable pattern in releasing new major versions of Java every six months (a "fast" track) and an LTS version every two years. Java 20 was an LTS release in March 2022, so it's likely that Java 21 will follow suit as the next LTS release.

Java 21 is expected to be released sometime in 2023, although the exact date has not been officially announced. Once it is available, you can expect Oracle to provide a five-year support window for this version, similar to what was offered for Java 20.

Here's what you can expect from an LTS release like Java 21:

Security updates: Oracle will continue to deliver security patches and fixes for vulnerabilities discovered in Java 21, ensuring the continued integrity of your applications. Bug fixes: The Oracle team will address any critical bugs found in Java 21, minimizing disruptions and maintaining application stability. Performance improvements: You can expect ongoing performance enhancements and optimizations to improve the overall efficiency of your Java-based applications running on Java 21. Compatibility: As new versions of Java are released, you can rely on Oracle's support for backward compatibility with earlier releases, ensuring that your existing codebases remain functional.

In conclusion, based on historical patterns, it is expected that Java 21 will be an LTS release, offering a five-year support window from Oracle. This stability and predictability will enable businesses to plan and implement their Java-based applications with confidence, knowing that they will receive the necessary support and maintenance for years to come.

(Note: Keep in mind that this information is based on historical trends and is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please consult Oracle's official announcements and documentation.)

What is Java version 21?

I'm happy to help! However, I must clarify that there is no such thing as "Java version 21" in the sense of a new release or an official milestone. The Java programming language has undergone many updates and releases over the years, but none of them have been labeled as "version 21".

To provide some context, the OpenJDK (Open Java Development Kit) is the primary open-source implementation of the Java platform. According to the OpenJDK's version history, the most recent major release is Java SE 19 (also known as JDK 19), which was made available in September 2022.

Java SE 19 brings various new features and enhancements to the Java language, including improvements to the JavaFX GUI toolkit, updates to the HTTP client API, and better support for JSON processing. This release also includes a number of bug fixes and performance optimizations across multiple areas of the Java platform.

In addition to the OpenJDK's official releases, there are also various other variants of Java that have been developed by different companies or organizations. For instance, Oracle Corporation, which acquired Sun Microsystems in 2010, has released its own commercial versions of Java under the name "Oracle JDK".

While these different versions and implementations may have their own unique features, characteristics, or naming schemes, none of them have been officially designated as "version 21". It's possible that some third-party project or individual might use this label to refer to a specific version or milestone in their own Java-based work, but it would not be an official designation from the Java community or any widely recognized standards organization.

I hope this information helps clarify things! Let me know if you have any further questions.