JDK 27 Release Schedule and Key JEPs
The Java Platform Group has proposed a clear timeline for JDK 27, with General Availability (GA) targeted for September 14, 2026. The rampdown phase is expected to begin on June 4, with an initial release candidate arriving in August.
Among the most anticipated features are the fifth preview of Primitive Types in Patterns (JEP 532), which allows primitives in instanceof and switch contexts, and the seventh preview of Structured Concurrency (JEP 533). The latter aims to simplify concurrent programming by treating related tasks as a single unit of work, significantly reducing the complexity of managing asynchronous task groups.
Additionally, JEP 534 proposes making compact object headers the default in the HotSpot JVM, and JEP 527 introduces Post-Quantum Hybrid Key Exchange for TLS 1.3 to safeguard against future quantum computing threats.
Read more — InfoQ
Java 26: AOT Caching and HTTP/3
Released in March 2026, Java 26 focuses on performance and modern networking. A standout feature is the introduction of "Ahead-of-Time Object Caching with Any GC" (JEP 516), which optimizes object allocation and reuse across different garbage collection strategies.
For networking, JEP 517 finally brings official HTTP/3 support to the HTTP Client API, allowing Java applications to leverage the performance gains of QUIC. The release also includes the second preview of "Lazy Constants" (JEP 526) and the eleventh incubator of the Vector API (JEP 529).
In a move to clean up the platform, the long-deprecated Applet API has been formally removed (JEP 504), marking the end of an era for Java's browser-based origins.
Read more — InfoQ
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