What are the latest enhancements in Java 17 and beyond?

Java 17 introduced several performance, security, and developer productivity improvements, making it one of the most significant long-term support (LTS) releases. Key features include sealed classes, which improve code security by restricting class inheritance, and pattern matching for switch statements, making code cleaner and more expressive. Additionally, improved garbage collection (G1, ZGC) reduces memory overhead, enhancing application performance.

Beyond Java 17, versions like Java 21 bring features such as virtual threads (Project Loom) for better concurrency, record patterns for structured data processing, and improved native interoperability. These updates make Java more efficient, scalable, and developer-friendly, helping businesses optimize application performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Sealed classes improve security and inheritance control.

• Pattern matching simplifies complex switch statements.

• G1 & ZGC garbage collectors enhance memory efficiency.

• Java 21 introduces virtual threads for better concurrency.