Java 14, expected to be released in March 2020 (based on the new release cycle Oracle has adopted for the programming language), is already in the works. It hasn’t been very long since JDK 13 came along, but it did allude to one vital aspect about JDK 14. Instead of being offered with a deluge of features that are challenging to navigate as well as use, it will be offered with a limited and, thus, easily practical number of features. Nonetheless, even though its arrival is still a few months away, Oracle recently revealed a list of the primary components of the JDK Enhancement Proposal. Though, it is not confirmed; it means they will be integrated into Java 14.
There’s a lot to unpack here because it is Java, after all. But we’ll focus on one thing in particular: app scalability. To be precise, we will actually be discussing some of the most important Java 14 features that make it the right choice for when you want to develop a Java-based app. It is with the ability to scale. And before we start with that, we must clarify that, as mentioned above, Java 14 will have a lot to offer; it’s just that in this article we are making the case for why it is perfect for building scalable apps with Java. So, let’s get started, shall we?
- Switch expressions: Though switch expressions serve to ease the task of writing the code, they suffered at the hands of various irregularities and turned into hindrances instead of facilitating seamless coding. Not only will Oracle work on said irregularities but also offer switch expressions as a permanent part of JDK 14.
- Record type: Sure, Java 14 is likely to get record type only in preview mode, but hey, the fact that it will be offered is terrific news. To deliver a concise syntax for the declaration of classes, Records will help make sure that developers can easily declare permanent data aggregates that are nominal in size.
- Improvements to NullPointerExceptions: Developers and companies have often been stumped by the widely known challenges associated with NullPointerException. But Java 14 its looking to change that, at least to some degree, by empowering the concerned parties via the provision of exactly what they seek, i.e. productive information about the program’s untimely termination. This will make sure that instead of struggling with NPEs, programmers can focus on scaling the app.
With Java 14 round the corner, developing Java applications is set to become interesting like you would have never imagined before. But more importantly, its arrival is especially great for those seeking to create Java-based applications that don’t suffer from the lack of the ability to scale quickly and without much of a fuss. And let’s not forget that it will offer a world of other advantages, translating into unparalleled benefits when it comes to readability of code among other things, to folks who are developing Java applications.