Java 24 delivers 24 JEPs spanning AI integration, post-quantum cryptography, and performance optimizations, strengthening Java's position for enterprise development.
Oracle's release of Java 24 represents a milestone in the platform's evolution. It delivers 24 Java Enhancement Proposals (JEPs) that span critical areas from language features to security, runtime performance, and AI readiness. Announced at JavaOne 2025 in Redwood Shores, the release strengthens Java's position as an enterprise development platform while adapting to emerging technology trends like artificial intelligence and post-quantum cryptography.
Language Enhancements: Improving Developer Productivity
Java 24 continues to refine the language through four key enhancements, each aimed at developer productivity and code maintainability. The second preview of Primitive Types in Patterns, instanceof, and switch (JEP 488) removes restrictions that previously prevented primitive types from working smoothly in pattern-matching contexts. This feature is particularly beneficial for applications integrating AI inference, which rely heavily on primitive type operations.
"These language features might seem like small tweaks, but together, they represent a significant evolution in how developers can express solutions in Java," said Georges Saab, Senior VP of Java at Oracle, during the JavaOne keynote.
The third preview of Flexible Constructor Bodies (JEP 492) introduces distinct prologue and epilogue phases in constructor bodies, enabling more natural code organization. Meanwhile, Module Import Declarations (JEP 494), in its second preview, simplifies importing all packages exported by a module—particularly helpful when integrating with modular AI libraries.
Rounding out the language enhancements is the fourth preview of Simple Source Files and Instance Main Methods (JEP 495), dramatically simplifying entry-level programming by reducing boilerplate code for beginners.
Libraries: Expanding Java's Capabilities
Five library enhancements expand Java's capabilities for modern application development. Stream Gatherers (JEP 485) enhances the popular Stream API with support for custom intermediate operations, allowing developers to transform data in previously impossible ways with built-in operations.
The Class-File API (JEP 484) provides a standard API for parsing, generating, and transforming Java class files. This foundational API opens new possibilities for tooling and framework developers who previously relied on third-party libraries for bytecode manipulation.
Three previews continue to mature in Java 24: the fourth preview of Scoped Values (JEP 487) for sharing immutable data across threads, the ninth incubator of the Vector API (JEP 489) for expressing vector computations that compile to optimized CPU instructions (critical for AI workloads), and the fourth preview of Structured Concurrency (JEP 499) for simplifying multithreaded code.
"The Vector API is exciting to developers working on AI applications," explains Mark Reinhold, Chief Architect of the Java Platform Group. "It enables Java to express computations that can leverage specialized CPU instructions, delivering performance critical for inference scenarios."
Security Libraries: Preparing for the Quantum Future
Perhaps Java 24's most forward-looking aspects are its three security library enhancements focused on post-quantum cryptography. The Key Derivation Function API (JEP 478) introduces a preview API for key derivation functions, building on the foundations laid in JDK 21.
Two quantum-resistant algorithm implementations—Module-Lattice-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism (JEP 496) and Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (JEP 497)—align with FIPS 203 and FIPS 204 standards, respectively. These implementations provide critical building blocks for securing Java applications against future quantum computing threats.
"While the industry currently doesn't necessarily agree on when quantum computers will become practical, we need to plan for the deprecation of traditional cryptographic schemes," said Eric Maurice, Vice President of Security Assurance at Oracle. "The challenge is to develop cryptographic mechanisms capable of operating on traditional computers and able to resist attacks from both existing and quantum computers."
Oracle has confirmed plans to backport these security features to long-term support releases, following the previously successful model with TLS 1.3 implementations.
Performance and Runtime Updates: Optimizing Execution
Five JEPs in Java 24 focus on performance and runtime improvements. The experimental Compact Object Headers (JEP 450) aims to reduce object header sizes from 96-128 to 64 bits on 64-bit architectures, potentially reducing heap sizes and improving data locality.
Late Barrier Extension for G1 (JEP 475) shifts the expansion of garbage collector barriers later in the compilation pipeline, reducing overhead for the popular G1 garbage collector. Ahead-of-Time Class Loading & Linking (JEP 483) improves startup time by making application classes instantly available in a loaded and linked state when the JVM starts.
Two additional runtime updates focus on virtual threads, a landmark feature introduced in previous releases: ZGC: Remove the Non-Generational Mode (JEP 490) streamlines the Z Garbage Collector by removing its non-generational mode. At the same time, Synchronize Virtual Threads without Pinning (JEP 491) extends the scalability of synchronized methods and statements with virtual threads.
The real-world impact of these optimizations was demonstrated during JavaOne by Mingmin Chen, head of Uber's real-time team, who shared significant performance improvements after upgrading to newer Java versions with generational garbage collection. "If you look at the results right, we reduce the GC pause, and then we also reduce the CPU utilization. We reduce the memory footprints, and the new GCC generation is making our queries better, faster, and more efficient."
Maintenance and Platform Integrity
Seven JEPs round out Java 24 with significant maintenance and platform integrity improvements. Three JEPs (472, 486, and 498) prepare to restrict unsafe features: JNI usage, the Security Manager (which is now permanently disabled), and memory-access methods in sun.misc.Unsafe.
Four additional maintenance JEPs address platform support: Linking Run-Time Images without JMODs (JEP 493), Deprecate the 32-bit x86 Port for Removal (JEP 501), experimental Generational Shenandoah garbage collection (JEP 404), and Remove the Windows 32-bit x86 Port (JEP 479).
Mitch Ashley, VP and Practice Lead, DevOps and Application Development at The Futurum Group, highlighted the significance of these updates: "Part of maintaining a healthy community and ecosystem for Java is simplifying the onboarding of new developers to the language. Updating Java with Vector API for AI workloads and quantum-safe algorithms and backporting these improvements support Java's very large embedded base for years to come."
Java's Renaissance Continues
Java 24 represents the 15th consecutive on-time release in Oracle's six-month cadence, a model that has transformed Java development since its introduction in 2018. This cadence allows smaller, more frequent feature releases while maintaining Java's legendary stability and backward compatibility.
"Developers are more excited about Java now than they've been in a long, long time, possibly ever," said Saab. "And that's really because the team can bring features to them very quickly, reliably."
The six-month release cycle means all releases are production-ready, with specific versions (like the upcoming Java 25 scheduled for September 2025) designated for long-term support. This model balances innovation with stability for the estimated 63 billion active JVMs globally, including 41 billion cloud-based instances.
As Java approaches its 30th anniversary later this year, Java 24 demonstrates its continued relevance and evolution. By addressing critical areas like AI integration, security for the post-quantum era, and performance optimizations for today's hardware, Oracle has positioned Java to remain an enterprise development cornerstone for decades.
Java 24 is now available for download, with complete documentation on the 24 JEPs available through the OpenJDK project.