Effective March 18, 2025, Oracle introduced Java 24. New features bring significant improvements to performance, stability, and security. Learn about the licensing and new features of Java 24 here.
What is Java 24?
Java 24 (Oracle JDK 24) is the latest version of the world’s number one programming language and development platform. With Java, developers can build enterprise-grade, mission-critical and AI-powered applications at scale. The new releases are regularly scheduled biannually in March and September.
Licensing
Oracle offers two main licensing options for Java:
| Feature | Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC) | Java SE Universal Subscription |
| Cost | Free for production use and redistribution | Paid subscription based on the number of employees |
| Production Use | Yes | Yes |
| Updates | No more updates for JDK 24 from September 2025 with JDK 25 release | Continuous updates and access to all performance, stability, and security enhancements |
| Support | No access to Oracle’s support services | Comprehensive support, including 24/7 access to My Oracle Support |
| Additional Tools | None | Includes Oracle GraalVM, Java SE Subscription Enterprise Performance Pack, and Java Management Service |
| Licensing and Deployment | Free for production and redistribution | Licensing and support for Java SE on desktops, servers, and cloud deployments |
New Features of Version 24:
Language Features
- Primitive Types in Patterns, instanceof, and switch (Second Preview): Enhances pattern matching by removing restrictions on primitive types, making the language more uniform and expressive.
- Flexible Constructor Bodies (Third Preview): Introduces distinct prologue and epilogue phases in constructors, improving code reliability.
- Module Import Declarations (Second Preview): Enables quick and easy import of all packages exported by a module.
- Simple Source Files and Instance Main Methods (Fourth Preview): Offers a smooth on-ramp to Java programming for beginners.
Libraries
- Stream Gatherers: Enhances the Stream API to support custom intermediate operations.
- Class-File API: Provides a standard API for parsing, generating, and transforming Java class files.
- Scoped Values (Fourth Preview): Enables sharing of immutable data within and across threads.
- Vector API (Ninth Incubator): Introduces an API to express vector computations.
- Structured Concurrency (Fourth Preview): Simplifies concurrent programming via a new API for structured concurrency.
Security Libraries
- Key Derivation Function API (Preview): Offers cryptographic security for data in transit.
- Quantum-Resistant Module-Lattice-Based Key Encapsulation Mechanism: Provides an implementation of the quantum-resistant Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (ML-KEM).
- Quantum-Resistant Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm: Provides an implementation of the quantum-resistant Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (ML-DSA).
Tools
- Linking Run-Time Images without JMODs: Enables the jlink tool to create custom run-time images without using JMOD files.
Performance and Runtime Updates
- Compact Object Headers (Experimental): Reduces the size of object headers in the HotSpot JVM.
- Late Barrier Extension for G1: Shifts the expansion of G1 garbage collector’s barriers to later in the C2 JIT’s compilation pipeline.
- Ahead-of-Time Class Loading & Linking: Makes classes of an application instantly available in a loaded and linked state.
- ZGC: Remove the Non-Generational Mode: Removes the non-generational mode of the Z Garbage Collector (ZGC).
- Synchronize Virtual Threads without Pinning: Extends the scalability of Java code and libraries that use synchronized methods and statements.
Source Code
- Generational Shenandoah (Experimental): Enhances the Shenandoah garbage collector with experimental generational collection capabilities.
- Remove the Windows 32-bit x86 Port: Removes the source code and build support for the Windows 32-bit x86 port.
- Deprecate the 32-bit x86 Port for Removal: Deprecates the 32-bit x86 port with the intent to remove it in a future release.
More Information:
Download Java 24 here: https://www.oracle.com/be/java/technologies/downloads/.
Announcement: https://www.oracle.com/be/news/announcement/oracle-releases-java-24-2025-03-18/.
Learn more about Oracle Java SE Universal Subscription: https://www.oracle.com/java/java-se-subscription/.
To learn more about Oracle, please visit: https://www.schneider.im/software/oracle.
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