Hey everyone! I'm really interested in Java, even though I'm not a professional programmer. I've heard about some big projects like Valhalla and Panama that are supposed to bring some interesting changes to the language. I was looking for a central hub or website that showcases the roadmap for Java's language features—both the major refactors and the smaller updates. I was hoping for something like cppreference.com, which details compiler progress for C++. I think OpenJDK is what I should focus on, but I'm not too familiar with how the JVM landscape works. I usually check the Java YouTube channel or the dev.java news page, but those don't give a comprehensive history or overview. Any suggestions? Thanks!
3 Answers
For past changes in Java, the official documentation is definitely your best bet. They have a language updates page that lists all historical changes. As for future updates, unfortunately, there isn’t a solid roadmap since new features are usually detailed in JEPs just a few months before they're released. If you want to stay in the loop on future ideas, you might want to follow the OpenJDK mailing lists; that's where a lot of discussions happen.
You might want to check out the Java Almanac. It has a lot of good info, and you might find some of what you're looking for there!
You can find some information directly at the OpenJDK site, specifically the JEPs (JDK Enhancement Proposals) page. But I have to warn you, the website could use some serious help—it doesn't look very professional!
Yeah, it really does look like a work experience project! They need to step up their game.
True, JEPs are where the concrete roadmaps start, but sometimes you can find talks from key Java designers hinting at future directions. I once saw a cool talk from James Gosling about his vision for Java, but I can’t seem to locate that video anymore.