InfoQ Java Trends Report - November 2023

The world of Java programming is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends is essential for developers and businesses alike. In this InfoQ Java Trends Report, we provide you with a comprehensive summary of the adoption of technology and emerging trends within the Java and JVM space in 2023. Our report is based on the insights and expert opinions of the InfoQ Java editorial team, as well as several Java Champions who are leading voices in the industry.

Java: The Language of Choice

Java has been a dominant programming language for decades, and it continues to be widely used in various industries. In our report, we explore how Java is evolving to meet the changing needs of developers and businesses. We delve into the latest features and enhancements introduced in Java 17, which include sealed classes, pattern matching, and improved APIs for concurrency and data manipulation.

Kotlin and Scala: Gaining Traction

While Java is still the primary language for many developers, we cannot ignore the rise of Kotlin and Scala. These languages have gained significant popularity due to their modern syntax, enhanced productivity, and seamless interoperability with existing Java codebases. We analyze how Kotlin and Scala are being embraced by developers and the impact they have on the Java ecosystem.

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM): Powering Applications

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is the foundation of the Java platform and enables developers to write once and run anywhere. Our report explores the advancements in the JVM ecosystem, including the adoption of GraalVM, which provides improved performance and scalability for Java applications. We also delve into the increasing popularity of native image compilation and its impact on the deployment of Java applications.

Java-based Frameworks and Utilities

The Java ecosystem is rich with frameworks and utilities that simplify application development and enhance productivity. We highlight the latest trends in Java-based frameworks, such as Spring Boot, Micronaut, and Quarkus. These frameworks enable developers to build microservices, cloud-native applications, and serverless functions with ease. We also discuss the increasing role of containerization and orchestration technologies, like Docker and Kubernetes, in the Java ecosystem.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our Java Trends Report, it is evident that Java is still going strong in 2023. The language continues to evolve, with new features and enhancements aimed at improving developer productivity and application performance. Kotlin and Scala are gaining traction and offering developers alternative choices. The JVM remains a powerful runtime platform for Java applications, and the Java ecosystem is thriving with frameworks and utilities that simplify development. Stay tuned for future reports as we continue to track the evolving landscape of Java and its associated technologies.

Written by: Michael Redlich, Ixchel Ruiz, Alina Yurenko, Rustam Mehmandarov, Johan Janssen