Still Brewing: What’s Hot in JDK 26

Speaker: Jiří Andrlík (software engineer at IBM, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ji%C5%99%C3%AD-andrl%C3%ADk-a40610352/)

Abstract:

JDK 26 continues Java’s predictable six-month release cadence, delivering a new set of language refinements, JVM improvements, library enhancements, and preview features that further modernize the platform while preserving its long-standing stability.

This session explores the JEPs that define JDK 26 and the themes emerging from this release. We will examine the technical motivations behind key proposals, how they fit into Java’s broader evolution, and what they mean in practice for developers and platform teams. From performance and runtime updates to API additions and incubating work, JDK 26 reflects the current priorities shaping OpenJDK.

Notable updates include continued refinement of Structured Concurrency (6th Preview), advancing Java’s approach to scalable concurrent programming, and introducing HTTP/3 support in the standard HTTP Client API, aligning Java with modern networking standards. Alongside other enhancements in the release, these changes illustrate how Java continues to evolve through steady, incremental progress.

Whether you are planning an upgrade or simply tracking the direction of the ecosystem, this session provides a clear and practical overview of what JDK 26 delivers. While it is not an LTS release, JDK 26 represents an important step in Java’s continuous evolution.

So, let’s take a closer look together at what JDK 26 introduces and why it matters.

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We will also stream this online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejhok_F3fHg! If you plan to attend online, you don't need to register here since we're using this information to order food. This is also a tiny push for you to come in person!

See you there!