12 Key Java Enhancement Proposals Shaping the Future of Java
Java’s evolution is guided through the Java Community Process (JCP) and Java Enhancement Proposals (JEPs), which collectively steer the language’s development and introduce new features. The JEP process plays a critical role in ensuring that Java remains relevant and adapts to modern programming needs. As the JDK 24 release approaches, several new JEPs are poised to impact the language and platform, highlighting the ongoing transformation of the Java ecosystem. These proposals range from minor improvements to major shifts in how Java applications will be developed and executed.
The JEP process consists of several stages, allowing the community to track the progress of each proposal. Developers can access the JEP Index on the OpenJDK website, which provides a comprehensive catalog of all JEPs ever submitted. However, the vast number of JEPs can be overwhelming to navigate, as the index lists all proposals without distinguishing between major advancements and smaller tweaks. While major proposals, like the integration of virtual threads, are significant milestones, they are cataloged alongside proposals that may address specific, incremental changes to the language.
JEPs are classified according to their current stage in the development lifecycle. “In-flight” JEPs are those currently being developed and worked on for inclusion in a future Java release. These proposals are in varying stages, from preview features available for experimentation to proposals that have been fully accepted and are actively being implemented. The “submitted” stage includes proposals that have been officially submitted but have yet to be accepted for development. These are proposals that have undergone some level of vetting and are waiting for formal approval before moving into the in-flight category.
Finally, there are “draft” JEPs, which represent early-stage ideas still under development before they are formally submitted for approval. Once these drafts are refined and gain acceptance, they transition into the submitted category. This structure ensures that Java’s evolution is deliberate and transparent, providing the community with insight into the features being considered and their potential impact. As we approach the release of JDK 24, these 12 in-progress JEPs offer a glimpse into the future of Java, from enhancements to existing features to entirely new capabilities that could redefine how developers use the platform.