Java 8 Vs. Java 11

James Gosling created Java, a high-level programming language, in 1995. A popular language for Android apps is Java. Java is used even in the creation of the Android operating system. Because of its clear, straightforward, and understandable syntax, it is very well-liked by developers. Over the years, several versions have been published. Oracle launched Java 8 and Java 11, which have distinct functionality, in 2014 and 2018, respectively.

Overview of Java 8

A significant turning point in the evolution of the Java programming language was the introduction of Java 8 in March 2014. It brought in a number of ground-breaking innovations that updated Java and improved its development capabilities. Lambda expressions, the Stream API for functional programming, default methods in interfaces, functional interfaces, and java.time package for better date and time handling are some of Java 8's standout features. The way Java code was written was completely changed by these innovations, which also made the code more expressive and succinct.

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1. Lambda Expressions:

One of the most expected new feature of Java8 is the introduction of lambda expressions. Lambda expressions result in the production of brief and articulate code in the case of functional interfaces. This function improves the legibility of code and supports the application of functional programming paradigms.

2. Functional Interfaces:

Java 8 brought the idea of the functional interface, which is an interface with one abstract method. This principle is the same as lambda expressions which allow the implementation of functional patterns more shortly and straightforwardly. Interfaces that were existing such as @FunctionalInterface were retrofitted with Runnable and Callable.

3. Stream API:

The stream api in Java 8 allows the developers to process collections of data in a functional style. This app supports parallel processing which makes it possible to accomplish the operations on huge datasets at the same time and efficiently. Streams are one of the most powerful and expressive ways to deal with data.… Persistent code can be reduced significantly.

4. Default Methods:

Non-default methods permit the addition of new methods to interfaces without affecting the code of those that implement these interfaces. With this feature, it is a requirement for the introduction of the new functionalities to the interfaces in a backwards-compiled friendly mode. Therefore, it helps in maintaining compatibility in the evolving codes

5. Optional Class:

Java 8 brought in the Optional class to resolve problems of null references. This class instructs us to intentionally apply null values thereby minimizing the chances of null pointer exceptions. Developers can use methods like isPresent() and orElse() to improve the code robustness when executing invalid values.

Overview of Java 11

Java 11, which was introduced in September 2018, built on the groundwork set by Java 8 to continue the platform's progress. The introduction of Long-Term maintenance (LTS) for Java 11-which guarantees prolonged maintenance and upgrades for a longer length of time-was one of the most significant advancements.

Local-variable type Inference (var), Nest-Based Access Control, the HTTP Client API, improved speed, and other security updates were among the many new features and changes brought about by Java 11. It also signalled Oracle's shift from a proprietary Java development paradigm to one that is more open-source and community-driven, with an emphasis on long-term stability.

1. Local-Variable Syntax for Lambda Parameters:

Java 11 enables the 'var' keyword to be applied to lambda expressions, thereby enabling the developers to declare the local variables in a more concise form. This, in addition to the readability of the code and the elimination of boilerplate, comes under same language umbrella that tends to give more expressive constructs.

2. HTTP Client (Standard):

Java 11 added a new HTTP client library to the standard library that provides a more modern and flexible way of creating and handling HTTP requests. The API is compatible with HTTP/1.1 and HTTP/2 and is designed to be asynchronous and reactive, thus addressing the limitations of the legacy HttpURLConnection API.

3. Flight Recorder:

The Flight Recorder, which started as part of the Oracle JDK, arrived within the OpenJDK distribution with the initial release of Java 11. With this profiling and diagnostics tool, developers can watch, profile, and debug applications by capturing really detailed runtime information. It provides continuous monitoring with low overhead.

4. Single-File Source-Code Launch:

With Java 11, a new feature has been added that enables programmers to execute a single-file Java source code directly, without the need for compiling the code. This is particularly suitable for rapid prototyping and scripts, which makes Java more user-friendly for a certain type of jobs.

5. Epsilon Garbage Collector:

Java 11 presented the Epsilon collector, a no-op garbage collector suited for performance tests and cases where allocation and de-allocation of memory are irrelevant. It offers a low memory footprint that is an advantage for specific testing and performance assessment applications.

6. Modularity:

The Modularity feature is not available in Java 8. It is one of the biggest changes that have been added in Java 9. By using modularity, we can split our programs or applications into different modules. Modularity allows us to test our application easily and also manage access to what parts of our code are public-facing. We can compile our code without compiling the file by simply placing it into the module that has no name. It behaves in the same way as the Java 8 compile code.

7. Multi-jar releases

It is one of the features that is added in Java 11. Multi-jar provides a way to still the code with the latest features of Java 11 while maintaining support and functionality for Java 8 clients.

8. Version String Schema

It is another change between Java 8 and Java 11. It defines how the version strings should be formatted. A new schema introduces for the versions. The schema looks like:

Java 8 Vs. Java 11