Oracle reveals and releases new Java 19 updates

Oracle has announced the availability of Java 19, which is set to deliver performance, stability, and security improvements for developers.

The company says the release of Java 19 is the result of extensive collaboration between Oracle engineers and other members of the worldwide Java developer community via the OpenJDK Project and the Java Community Process (JCP).

"Our ongoing collaboration with the developer community is the lifeblood of Java. As the steward of Java, Oracle is steadfastly committed to providing developers and enterprises with the latest tools to help them create innovative apps and services," says Georges Saab, Senior Vice President of Development, Java Platform and Chair, OpenJDK Governing Board, Oracle.

"The powerful new enhancements in Java 19 are a testament to the monumental work across the global Java community."

The latest Java Development Kit (JDK) will provide updates and improvements with seven JDK Enhancement Proposals (JEPs). Oracle says that most of these updates are to be delivered as follow-up preview features improving on functionality introduced in earlier releases.

Some of the key advancements and announcements of JDK 19 are language improvements from OpenJDK project Amber (Record Patterns and Pattern Matching for Switch); library enhancements to interoperate with non-Java Code (Foreign Function and Memory API), leveraging of vector instructions (Vector API) from OpenJDK project Panama; and also the first previews for Project Loom (Virtual Threads and Structured Concurrency).

As part of the announcement, Oracle has highlighted that a new Java Feature will release every six months via a predictable release schedule. They say this cadence provides a stable stream of innovation while still delivering improvements to the platform.

Java 19 is also supported by JavaManagement Service. This Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) native service provides a single pane of glass, with the company saying it will further help organisations manage Java runtimes and applications on-premises or on any cloud.

"Java developers are increasingly seeking tools to help them efficiently build highly functional applications for deployment in the cloud, on-premises, and in hybrid environments," says Arnal Dayaratna, Research Vice President, Software Development, IDC. 

"The enhancements in Java 19 deliver on these requirements and illustrate how the Java ecosystem is well-positioned to meet the current and future needs of developers and enterprises."

Some of the most notable developments in the announcement include:

• Language updates and improvements with JEP 405 (Record Patterns (Preview) and JEP 427 (Pattern Matching for Switch (Third Preview).
• Library tools updates with JEP 424 (Foreign Function and Memory API (Preview) and JEP 426: Vector API (Fourth Incubator).
• Ports developments with JEP 422 (Linux/RISC-V Port).
• Project Loom preview/incubator features with JEP 425 (Virtual Threads (Preview) and JEP 428 (Structured Concurrency (Incubator).

Oracle also offers the Oracle Java SE Subscription. This acts as a pay-as-you-go offering that gives enterprises access to the Java Management Service, entitlement to GraalVM Enterprise and other in-class support options.