In a significant move, Oracle has officially launched Helidon 4, the latest production version of its microservices framework for Java. This iteration introduces a revolutionary server implementation, internally referred to as Nima, leveraging the power of Java 21 virtual threads to enhance performance significantly. The release, announced on October 24, brings about a paradigm shift in how concurrent applications are developed and maintained, focusing on reducing effort while optimizing throughput.
Before Helidon 4, the framework’s web server relied on Netty and featured a reactive API. With the introduction of Nima in Release 4, Oracle aims to harness the capabilities of Java 21 virtual threads, treating threads not as limited resources but as readily available assets generated on demand to handle a virtually limitless number of concurrent requests. The migration to virtual threads signifies a strategic move towards greater efficiency in managing concurrent workloads.
Noteworthy in Helidon 4 is the upgraded support for Eclipse MicroProfile 6.0 in Helidon MP, aligning itself with the latest enterprise Java microservices architecture standards. For developers looking to explore and adopt Helidon 4, comprehensive instructions and a migration guide are available at helidon.io.
To fully leverage the capabilities of Helidon 4, Java 21 or a newer version is essential. Described by advocates as an open-source collection of cloud-native Java libraries, Helidon caters to microservices development, boasting a fast web core powered by Java virtual threads. The framework comes in two flavors: Helidon SE, offering a microframework model with a compact footprint and limited functionality, and Helidon MP, tailored for enterprise Java developers, featuring a declarative style with dependency injection. As organizations embrace the evolving landscape of microservices, Helidon 4 stands out as a powerful tool equipped to meet the demands of modern Java development.