Significantly higher performance is anticipated from the open source cloud-native set of libraries.
Oracle has released the production version of Helidon 4, a microservices framework for Java featuring a server implementation harnessing virtual threads for higher performance.
Version 4 was announced October 24; instructions can be found at helidon.io. There also is a migration guide. Before Helidon 4, the project’s web server utilized Netty as its foundation and used a reactive API. Release 4 introduces a new server, internally called Nima, designed to harness the capabilities of Java 21 virtual threads. It is intended to reduce the effort needed to write and maintain high-throughput concurrent applications. Using virtual threads is a shift from managing threads as a limited resource to considering them as readily available assets that can be generated on demand to handle an almost limitless number of concurrent requests. Also with Helidon 4, Helidon MP now supports the Eclipse MicroProfile 6.0 enterprise Java microservices architecture.
Java 21 or newer is necessary for using Helidon 4. Helidon is described by proponents as an open source set of cloud-native Java libraries for writing microservices to run on a fast web core, powered by Java virtual threads. There are two flavors: Helidon SE, which provides a microframework model with a small footprint and limited functionality, and Helidon MP, which offers a platform familiar to enterprise Java developers and features a declarative style with dependency injection.
In previous versions, Helidon relied heavily on Netty for handling network communications and leveraged a reactive API to manage asynchronous programming. The move to Nima and virtual threads marks a significant architectural shift, focusing on simplifying the development process for high-throughput applications. This shift aligns with the broader industry trend towards leveraging virtual threads, which allow for more scalable and efficient handling of concurrent processes.
The inclusion of Eclipse MicroProfile 6.0 support in Helidon MP extends its capabilities, providing developers with a more robust set of tools for building enterprise-level microservices. MicroProfile 6.0 includes enhancements for fault tolerance, metrics, and configuration management, all of which are critical for developing reliable, scalable microservices in a cloud-native environment.
Oracle has released the production version of Helidon 4, a microservices framework for Java featuring a server implementation harnessing virtual threads for higher performance.
Version 4 was announced October 24; instructions can be found at helidon.io. There also is a migration guide. Before Helidon 4, the project’s web server utilized Netty as its foundation and used a reactive API. Release 4 introduces a new server, internally called Nima, designed to harness the capabilities of Java 21 virtual threads. It is intended to reduce the effort needed to write and maintain high-throughput concurrent applications. Using virtual threads is a shift from managing threads as a limited resource to considering them as readily available assets that can be generated on demand to handle an almost limitless number of concurrent requests. Also with Helidon 4, Helidon MP now supports the Eclipse MicroProfile 6.0 enterprise Java microservices architecture.
Java 21 or newer is necessary for using Helidon 4. Helidon is described by proponents as an open source set of cloud-native Java libraries for writing microservices to run on a fast web core, powered by Java virtual threads. There are two flavors: Helidon SE, which provides a microframework model with a small footprint and limited functionality, and Helidon MP, which offers a platform familiar to enterprise Java developers and features a declarative style with dependency injection.
Oracle’s commitment to evolving Helidon alongside advancements in the Java ecosystem, such as virtual threads, demonstrates its dedication to providing modern solutions for microservices development. As more organizations move towards cloud-native architectures, tools like Helidon that integrate seamlessly with the latest Java features will be increasingly valuable.