JDK 18 / Java 18 GA released: Fixed over one thousand bugs

JDK 18 includes a total of 9 JEPs, as well as hundreds of smaller enhancements and over one thousand bugs fixes.

Default encoding is UTF-8

Specifies UTF-8 as the default character set for the standard Java API. With this change, APIs that rely on the default charset will be consistent across all implementations, operating systems, locales, and configurations.

Simple HTTP Server

Provides a command line tool to start a minimal web server that only serves static files. There is no CGI or servlet-like functionality available. The tool can be used for prototyping, ad hoc coding and testing purposes, especially in educational settings.

Code snippets from the Java API documentation

Introduces a @snippet tag for JavaDoc’s Standard Doclet to simplify example source code in API documentation.

Reimplementing Java Core Reflection with Method Handles

Reimplement java.lang.reflect.Method, Constructor and Field based on the java.lang.invoke method handle. Making method handles the underlying mechanism for reflection will reduce maintenance and development costs for the java.lang.reflect and java.lang.invoke APIs.

Vector API (3rd incubation)

Introduces an API to express vector computations that compile reliably at runtime, optimizing vector instructions on supported CPU architectures to achieve better performance than scalar computations.

Internet Address Resolution SPI

Defines a Service Provider Interface (SPI) for host name and address resolution so that java.net.Inet Address can use resolvers other than the platform’s built-in resolvers.

External functions and memory API (incubating the second time)

Introduces an API through which Java programs can interoperate with code and data outside of the Java runtime. 

By efficiently calling external functions, and safely accessing external memory, this API enables Java programs to call native libraries and manipulate native data without the fragility and dangers of JNI.

Switch pattern matching (preview the second time)

switchEnhance the Java programming language with pattern matching of expressions and statements, and extensions to the pattern language. Extends pattern matching switchinto , allowing expressions to be tested against some patterns, so that complex data-oriented queries can be expressed concisely and safely. This is a preview language feature in JDK 18.

Deprecate Finalization for removal in the future

Deprecate Finalization so that it will be removed in a future release. Currently Finalization is still enabled by default, but it can be disabled for early testing. In later versions, it will be disabled by default first, and will be completely removed in future versions. Maintainers of libraries and applications that depend on Finalization should consider migrating to other resource management techniques, such as try-with-resourcesstatements .

For more details, please check: https://openjdk.java.net/projects/jdk/18/

Download: https://jdk.java.net/18/