In this chapter, we explored the newly implemented, time-based versioning system for the Java platform. We also learned, at a high level, the changes introduced in Java 9, 10, and 11 (referred to as versions 9, 18.3, and 18.9 respectively). Java 9's most significant change was modularity based on Project Jigsaw and included additional changes focusing on the Java shell, controlling external process, garbage collection, JHM, and more. Key features of Java 10 were covered, including local variable type inference, JDK consolidation, garbage collection, application CDS, root certificates, and more. Changes introduced in Java 11 included dynamic class-file constants, garbage collection, local variable type inference for Lambdas, and more.
In the next chapter, we will look at several internal changes introduced in the Java platform, including changes from Java 9, 10, and 11.
