Java 17 - A Major LTS Version

Java 17, released on September 14, 2021, is a major milestone in the Java ecosystem — not just because it's a regular six-month update, but because it’s a Long-Term Support (LTS) release. That means it's the next big stable version for production after Java 11, and it's the version enterprises are most likely to adopt for the long haul.

Here are some of the highlights

Pattern Matching for switch (Preview Feature)

Pattern Matching for switch (first previewed here) makes switch statements smarter and more expressive, supporting type patterns and guarded conditions.

static String format(Object obj) {

return switch (obj) {

case Integer i -> "int: " + i;

case String s -> "string: " + s.toUpperCase();

default -> "unknown";

};

}

Enhanced Pseudo-Random Number Generators

Java 17 introduces a new set of random number generator (RNG) interfaces and implementations in java.util.random.

It includes streamable RNGs, jumpable RNGs, and more predictable seeding.

Better suited for simulations, games, and parallel processing.

RandomGenerator gen = RandomGeneratorFactory.of("L64X128MixRandom").create();

System.out.println(gen.nextInt());

🎯 Summary

Java 17 is not just another version — it’s the next big stable platform for the Java world, and one that’s going to be supported for years. Whether you're working with enterprise APIs, writing libraries, or deploying microservices, Java 17 has something for you:

• 🧼 Finalized modern language features (Records, Sealed Classes)

• 🔐 Stronger encapsulation and platform security

• 💨 Native support for Apple Silicon

• 💥 Cleanups that remove obsolete legacy APIs

If you're still on Java 8 or Java 11, now is the perfect time to consider upgrading — especially with frameworks like Spring, Micronaut, and Quarkus already supporting Java 17.