With the release of JDK 15, we will have had seven (yes seven!) versions of Java in three years.

We still hear claims that Java is the new COBOL, and its popularity is in decline. The reality, however, is that Java developers are now being provided with new features at a faster pace than at any time in its 25-year history.

Many of these new features provide exciting new language level changes, as well as useful new APIs.

In this session, we’ll explore in detail what these changes are and how best to use them (as well as advice on when not to use them). We’ll also explain the significance of preview features and incubator modules.

We’ll cover the following new language features:

• Local variable type inference (JDK 10)

• Pattern matching for instanceof (JDK 14)

For each of these JDKs, we’ll also highlight the most useful additions to the core class libraries.

At the end of this session, you’ll be all set to write modern Java code!

Simon Ritter is the Deputy CTO of Azul Systems. Simon has been in the IT business since 1984 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Brunel University in the U.K.

Simon joined Sun Microsystems in 1996 and started working with Java technology from JDK 1.0; he has spent time working in both Java development and consultancy. Having moved to Oracle as part of the Sun acquisition, he managed the Java Evangelism team for the core Java platform. Now at Azul, he continues to help people understand Java as well as Azul's JVM technologies and products. Simon has twice been awarded Java Rockstar status at JavaOne and is a Java Champion. He currently represents Azul on the JCP Executive Committee and on the Java SE Expert Group.

Why New Java is Not the New COBOL