You're reading from Transitioning to Java Kickstart your polyglot programming journey by getting a clear understanding of Java

Product type Paperback

Published in Apr 2023

Publisher Packt

ISBN-13 9781804614013

Length 354 pages

Edition 1st Edition

Languages

Java

Tools

Java design patterns

Concepts

Programming Language

Author (1):

Ken Fogel

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Table of Contents (23) Chapters

Preface

1. Part 1:The Java Development Environment

2. Chapter 1: Understanding Java Distributions FREE CHAPTER

3. Chapter 2: Code, Compile, and Execute

4. Chapter 3: The Maven Build Tool

5. Part 2:Language Fundamentals

6. Chapter 4: Language Fundamentals – Data Types and Variables

7. Chapter 5: Language Fundamentals – Classes

8. Chapter 6: Methods, Interfaces, Records, and Their Relationships

9. Chapter 7: Java Syntax and Exceptions

10. Chapter 8: Arrays, Collections, Generics, Functions, and Streams

11. Chapter 9: Using Threads in Java

12. Chapter 10: Implementing Software Design Principles and Patterns in Java

13. Chapter 11: Documentation and Logging

14. Chapter 12: BigDecimal and Unit Testing

15. Part 3:GUI and Web Coding in Java

16. Chapter 13: Desktop Graphical User Interface Coding with Swing and JavaFX

17. Chapter 14: Server-Side Coding with Jakarta

18. Chapter 15: Jakarta Faces Application

19. Part 4:Packaging Java Code

20. Chapter 16: Deploying Java in Standalone Packages and Containers

21. Index

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22. Other Books You May Enjoy

Why are there so many versions of Java?

Java is constantly evolving – bug fixes, enhancements, and new features are in continuous development. Java was initially numbered as 1 plus a version number. The first nine versions starting in 1996 and until 2014 were 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8. Between each of these versions, there was a third number that represented an update rather than a major revision, such as 1.8_202.

Starting with Java 1.8, then subsequently named Java 8, here is the timeline of Java versions:

Table 1.1 – Timeline of Java versions

You will see several versions designated LTS, short for Long Term Support, by Oracle. These versions are expected to be supported with bug fixes and security updates for at least 8 years. The non-LTS versions, also called feature releases, are accumulative fixes, updates, and preview features. Support for these versions is expected to last only until the next non-LTS or LTS version is released. Companies that have their own Java distribution may provide support for longer than Oracle does.

LTS versions are typically what many organizations prefer to use for their products. Java 8, released in March 2014, is still supported and will be until December 2030. Subsequent LTS versions are being supported for just 8 years but, as already mentioned, may be supported by other Java distributors for a longer period. The current schedule for new releases of Java has an LTS version every 2 years. A non-LTS version is released every 6 months.

If you plan to develop server-side software, you must use an LTS version. Libraries required for server-side are written to use a specific LTS version. When a new LTS version is released, it might take some time for all such libraries to be updated as is currently the case with LTS Java 17. As I write this, most server-side applications are running Java 11 and some still even use Java 8.

What has contributed to Java’s success is evident in the continuing and now regular cadence of releases. This ensures that Java continues to be a state-of-the-art language.

You're reading from Transitioning to Java Kickstart your polyglot programming journey by getting a clear understanding of Java

Table of Contents (23) Chapters

Why are there so many versions of Java?

Authors (1)

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