Feature planning is underway for Java SE 9, the next major update to the language and platform used by millions of developers around the world. An initial set of Java Enhancement Proposals targeting JDK 9, the open source Reference Implementation of the Java SE 9 platform, has been released.
The feature set that will ultimately be included in Java 9 is not simply in the hands of a team of technologists and executives at
To understand how Java SE 9 will come to fruition, here are eight things you need to know about the Java development process.
1. Java is open. Sun Microsystems, owner of the Java platform before being acquired by Oracle, published nearly all of the JDK code under the General Public License (GPL) in 2007, and the few missing pieces have been gradually filled in with help from external contributors.
2. OpenJDK community facilitates collaboration. The OpenJDK Project provides a place for the Java community to collaborate on the primary implementation of the Java SE platform. Community members can build and hack on the code itself, contribute a patch to fix a bug, enhance an existing component, or define a new feature. The OpenJDK JDK 8 Project released the open-source Reference Implementation of Java SE 8 in March 2014, and the community's attention is now turning to JDK 9.
3. There’s a formal process for community involvement. The Java Community Process (JCP), which celebrated its 15-year milestone this year, is an open, inclusive organization of active members and nonmember public input that guides the development and approval of Java technical specifications. Sun introduced the JCP in 1998 to create a collaborative process around Java. Anyone can participate in reviewing and providing feedback for the Java Specification Requests (JSRs), and anyone can become a JCP Member and then participate on the Expert Group of a JSR or even submit their own JSR Proposals. The JCP Executive Committee includes 25 members who represent companies such as Credit-Suisse, HP,
4. The descriptions of Java specifications are known as JSRs. These are overseen by the JCP. There are numerous JSRs moving through the review and approval process at any given time. Java community members can stay up to date on a JSR’s progress by joining the mailing list for a particular JSR, and all JSRs are listed on the JCP website. The JSR process begins when a specification is initiated by community members and approved for development by the JCP Executive Committee. Once approved, an Expert Group is formed to develop a first draft of the specification, which is open for public review. The process continues until the specification is sent to the Executive Committee for final approval.
5. The Adopt-a-JSR program promotes even wider participation. This program, created to encourage JUG members, individuals, and other organizations to get involved in JSRs, has resulted in increased grassroots and developer participation in existing and emerging standards as well. More than 26 JUGs have participated in the program. Three JUGs—Jozi JUG (Johannesburg, South Africa), the London Java Community, and SouJava (São Paulo, Brazil)—adopted JSR 335: Lambda Expressions for the Java Programming Language, which was one of the most anticipated new capabilities in Java SE 8.
6. There are more than 250 JUGs. These groups from all over the world serve as centers of community learning and participation and are an essential part of the Java ecosystem. JUGs not only provide a meeting place for Java users to get information, share resources and solutions, network, and gain expertise, but they also play a critical role in providing feedback on JSRs and moving Java forward. JUG members run hackathons, speak at conferences such as JavaOne, hold events and conferences, write articles and books, raise critical issues, and much more. The global JUG-led Adopt OpenJDK program is aimed at increasing new platform adoption, assisting the OpenJDK community with tasks that require a large numbers of enthusiasts, and mentoring new talent for the OpenJDK.
7. Java Champions help drive development. The Java Champions are an exclusive group of passionate Java technology and community leaders who are community-nominated and selected under a project sponsored by Oracle. Java Champions provide feedback, ideas, and direction that help Oracle grow the Java platform.
8. Next year is a major anniversary. In 2015, Java will celebrate its 20th birthday. And today, it’s more relevant than ever—taking on big data, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, and whatever is next. Companies including Twitter and Square rely on Java for extreme performance, reliability, and scalability. Without an extensive—massive, really—community effort, Java could have become obsolete. But the passion and community of millions of developers and community members keep it thriving.
See the Java community in action and hear what’s coming in Java SE 9 at JavaOne, September 28–October 2, in San Francisco. You can also learn more in Java Magazine, a digital publication devoted to all things Java.
Caroline Kvitka is editor in chief of Java Magazine.
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