Survey Reveals Java Professionals Prefer Long Term Support Releases, with Java 11 and Java 17 Leading Over Java 8
Java 11 and Java 17, both designated as Long Term Support (LTS) versions by Oracle, have emerged as the most popular Java versions, according to a recent survey conducted by Azul, a leading Java software provider. This survey, detailed in the Azul State of Java Survey and Report 2023 released on October 24, highlights a significant shift in the Java ecosystem toward these LTS releases.
The survey, which gathered responses from 2,062 Java professionals and users of Java-based applications between May and June, reveals that Java 11 and Java 17 are favored by 48% and 45% of respondents, respectively. In comparison, Java 8, another LTS release but older, released in March 2014, is used by 40% of those surveyed. This preference for more recent LTS versions underscores a trend among Java users toward leveraging the extended support and stability these versions offer.
Azul’s survey further indicates that 85% of respondents use an LTS version of Java. LTS versions are critical for enterprise applications as they are supported by Oracle for several years, providing security updates and bug fixes without requiring immediate migration to newer versions. Additionally, 64% of respondents reported using multiple Java versions, suggesting a diverse environment where applications may need to support or transition between different versions.
The survey also noted a positive shift away from Java 8, with many respondents moving to more recent LTS versions. This transition reflects a broader trend of overcoming the interoperability issues associated with Java 9, which was released in September 2017 and introduced significant changes that some teams found challenging. The move to newer LTS versions indicates that many organizations have navigated these issues and are now benefiting from the improvements and features of Java 11 and Java 17.
Java releases follow a predictable schedule, with new versions published every six months and LTS versions arriving every two years. Short-term or feature releases, which are not LTS, receive only six months of support. This release cycle means that while new features are introduced frequently, many organizations prefer to stick with LTS releases for their long-term stability and support.
The latest addition to the LTS lineup is JDK 21, which was released in September. This new version continues the tradition of providing long-term support and will likely be a key focus for many Java users in the coming years, following the established pattern of adoption seen with previous LTS versions like Java 11 and Java 17.