Jakarta EE 9.1 Enables Seamless Migration and Java SE 11 Feature Utilization in Applications
The Eclipse Foundation’s Jakarta EE working group has announced the release of Jakarta EE 9.1 Platform and Web Profile specifications, which are now compatible with Java Standard Edition (SE) 11. This new version allows developers to leverage the features of Java SE 11, the current long-term support (LTS) release, in their Jakarta EE applications, providing a robust and modern environment for enterprise development.
Compatibility with Java SE 11
Jakarta EE 9.1 enables developers to build and deploy applications on Java SE 11, as well as the older Java SE 8. This compatibility ensures that developers can take advantage of the latest features and improvements in Java SE 11 while maintaining the ability to support applications built on Java SE 8. Notably, developers can migrate existing Jakarta EE 9 applications to Java SE 11 without requiring any changes, making the transition seamless and efficient.
Growth in Java SE 11 Adoption
The 2020 Jakarta EE Developer Survey highlighted the increasing adoption of Java SE 11, with usage growing from 20 percent of respondents in 2019 to 28 percent in 2020. This trend underscores the importance of Jakarta EE 9.1’s compatibility with Java SE 11, as more developers and organizations are moving towards this LTS version for its stability and long-term support.
Incremental Release Strategy
Released on May 25, Jakarta EE 9.1 represents the first incremental update of Jakarta EE, indicating a shift towards more frequent, smaller updates rather than larger annual releases. This new approach allows the Jakarta EE community to deliver updates and new features more rapidly, keeping pace with the evolving needs of enterprise developers. Jakarta EE 9.1 includes updates specifically aimed at enterprises building cloud-native Java applications, ensuring they have access to the latest technologies and improvements.
Migration and Compatibility
Existing Java EE 8 and Jakarta EE 8 applications can be migrated to Jakarta EE 9.1 using the same process as migrating to Jakarta EE 9, which was released in December. This continuity in the migration process simplifies the upgrade path for enterprises, reducing the effort and risk associated with moving to the latest platform version. Additionally, Jakarta EE 9.1 is supported by updated Technology Compatibility Kits (TCKs), ensuring that applications remain compliant with the specifications.
Supported Implementations
A variety of Jakarta EE 9.1 compatible implementations are available, including IBM Open Liberty, Eclipse Glassfish, Apache TomEE, Red Hat Wildfly, and ManageCat ManageFish. These implementations provide enterprises with a range of options for deploying their Jakarta EE applications, whether on-premises or in the cloud. Jakarta EE 9.1 can also be tried out on the Jelastic PaaS cloud platform, providing an easy way for developers to experiment with the new features and capabilities.
Adoption by the Spring Framework
In addition to these implementations, the Spring Framework is also planning to move to Jakarta EE 9, adopting the jakarta namespace in applicable packages. This transition will ensure that Spring developers can benefit from the advancements in Jakarta EE 9.1, further integrating the Java enterprise ecosystem and providing more options for building robust, scalable applications.
Overall, the release of Jakarta EE 9.1 marks a significant step forward for the Java enterprise platform, offering enhanced compatibility, modern features, and a streamlined migration path for developers and organizations.