Top 5 Advanced Features Expected In Java 14 From Oracle

Top 5 Advanced Features Expected In Java 14 From Oracle

Java 13 has just been made available to the developers and the latest version of the JDK was released in the mid of the year 2019. While very few business enterprises have already switched to Java 13 and it will not benefit official support from Oracle as Java 14 is already showing up. With the new Java version is expected to release in March 2020. Time is running out, and it is important to list 5 main features of the JDK that should be embedded in Java 14. Once these features will be released officially, it will ease the Java development company web application development work.

What Features Will Come With Java 14 Version?

The 5 most prominent features of Java 14 that will make a strong impact are:

1. Pattern Matching For Instanceof

This latest feature will improve Java performance by providing developers pattern matching for instanceof operator. Already available in other languages, pattern matching feature helps to express the logic of a program in a secure and compact manner.

Let’s discuss this feature with an example:

String formatted = "unknown";if (obj instanceof Integer i) {
formatted = String.format("int %d", i);
}
else if (obj instanceof Byte b) {
formatted = String.format("byte %d", b);
}
else if (obj instanceof Long l) {
formatted = String.format("long %d", l);
}
else if (obj instanceof Double d) {
formatted = String.format(“double %f", d);
}
else if (obj instanceof String s) {
formatted = String.format("String %s", s);
}// ... use formatted variable ...

The most amazing thing in this is that the pattern matching will be extended to other language constructs.

In the coming versions of Java-like 15, 16, or 17, it would not be difficult to replace the previous sequence of if/else by given below code:

String formatted =
switch (obj) {
case Integer i -> String.format("int %d", i);
case Byte b -> String.format("byte %d", b);
case Long l -> String.format("long %d", l);
case Double d -> String.format("double %f", d);
case String s -> String.format("String %s, s);
default -> String.format("Object %s", obj);
};// ... use formatted variable

2. Second Preview of Text Blocks

Text blocks were introduced in preview mode for Java 13 but text blocks return with the second preview in Java 14. The feedback received from the developers following the release in Java 13 has helped to introduce two new escape sequences in the latest version.

The escape sequence \ explicitly removes the necessity to enter a new line character. Let’s discuss it with an example of a string split using the concatenation operator between multiple smaller strings:

String literal = "This is a string splitted " +
"in several smaller " +
"strings.";
Using escape sequence \ we could use it in Java 14 as follows :
String text = """
This is a string splitted \
in several smaller \
strings.\
""";

Both character and traditional string literals don’t permit embedded line breaks, the escape sequence \ is applicable with text blocks only.

3. Record Type

Java 14 will introduce record type in preview mode. Record objects provide syntax to declare classes for shallowly immutable data.

Similar to an enum, a record is a form of a class. A record mentions its representation and commits to an API about its representation. A record has a name and a state description that mentions its components. The availability of a body is optional. Here syntax for the creation of a record type is mentioned:

Point:
record Point(int x, int y) { }

The below code is equivalent to the following class declaration:

final class Point {
public final int x;
public final int y;
public Point(int x, int y) {
this.x = x;
this.y = y;
}
// state-based implementations of equals, hashCode, toString
// nothing else
}

In order to implement this new type in Java 14, two new methods have been introduced to the java.lang.Class object:

• RecordComponent[] getRecordComponents()
• boolean isRecord()

The main objective here is to simply update the Java Reflection API to take records into the account.

4. Packaging Tool

It was removed at the last minute from the list of Java 13 features, the jPackage packaging tool should finally be introduced in Java 14. Be careful, as; it’ll be available in the closed apparatus form.

Read Also: What’s New In Java 13 Programming Language for Developers?

This tool, which will help the developers to build autonomous Java applications, is actually based on the concept of the JavaFX javapacakger packaging tool. Its main characteristics are:

• Support for native packaging formats to offer Java users a natural installation approach
• Possibility to mention the launch parameters during the packaging time
• Launch can be performed through the command line or program through the API

5. Abhor the ParallelScavenge + SerialOld Garbage Collector Combination

The latest advancement expected for Java 14 is not for all the Java web application developers. Indeed, it intends to abhor the ParallelScavenge + SerialOld garbage-collector combination for better results. The JEP 366, which backs this combination, has cleared that the objective here isn’t to eliminate this suit but only to abhor it. To abhor this combination of algorithms is due to the fact it’s actually used while needing considerable maintenance works.

Wrapping Up

Java 14 is scheduled to release in March 2020, it will have very little impact on the daily work of Java developers. The most important feature that the developers would love to test is the pattern matching for instanceof. However, the developers need to be patient before using these features as it is in the production since this feature will be available in the preview mode with Java 14. Once this will officially release the enterprises can hire Java developers to implement the latest features in their web application.

The good news is that this pattern matching for instanceof is only the beginning of a more extensive pattern matching that’ll occur within the next versions of Java-like 15, 16, or 17. All this will help the developers, who will find significant benefits in terms of their programs’ readability and their development work.