Java SE8 - Why is It the Best among All Its Releases?

As a software development platform, Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) is used by enterprises to create applications for a wide range of platforms and devices. Java SE makes it easier for programmers to develop and deploy Java applications on desktops and servers, and in embedded environment. It is also designed with a set of features to help developers in creating portable, secure and high-performing Java applications in an easier and faster way. Oracle released Java SE8 with several changes. Some of these changes are major, others are minor. But these features make Java SE8 the best among all its releases.

New Features that Make Java SE8 the Best among All Its Releases

Language Syntax Changes: Oracle has changes the Java language syntax to make the programming language compete with C#, Scala and other modern programming languages. The changes in language syntax will make it easier for programmers to process connections by distributing them over multiple threads. Unlike earlier versions of Java, Java SE8 comes with significant changes and addition to the language syntax. The programmers can now avail functional programming and closures while writing code in Java.

Lambda Expressions: As a major change, lambda expression enables Java developers to work as functional programmers. However, the set of syntactical capabilities is not something completely new. But the Java programmers can use lambda expressions create anonymous functions, while introducing the new anonymous function type in Java. Like a method, a lambda expression also provides a body and a list of formal parameters. The programmers can express a block of code or an expression as the body in terms of the parameters.

Improved Date and Time API: Java SE8 further allows developers to manage date and time through a completely revamped API. While creating new applications, they can replace the older classes with the new date and time API. So the new API will make it easier for programmers to streamline their code, while writing more intuitive programs. At the same time, they can further manage the different local dates, local times and time zoned by using new classes. The new classes can also be used to calculate differences between various times.

Stream API: Java SE8 further enables programmers to manage collections by adding new tools. They can use the new tools to effectively manage collections of sets, lists or maps. The new stream API will further help them in managing each item in a collection without writing explicit looping code. They can further use the API to break their processing into multiple CPUs. So the stream API will make it easier for Java programmers to optimize the management of large and complex collection of data without writing any lengthy code.

Nashorn JavaScript Engine: Java SE8 also comes with the new Nashorn JavaScript engine. As the JavaScript engine is written from the scratch for Java developers, it enables programmers to write JavaScript code, along with integrating Java classes and objects. Nashorn further implements a lightweight JavaScript runtime in Java with a native JVM. So the programmers can now embed JavaScript easily in Java applications through JSR-223. Likewise, they can also use the jrunscript command-line to create independent JavaScript applications.

Oracle has launched two distinct products that implement Java SE 8. But the Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 8 is designed as a subset of the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 8. So the JDK 8 includes the features of JRE 8, while providing the APIs, JVM and other components required for running Java applications and applets. However, JRE 8 includes both standard and non-standard Java components that are not required by Java SE specification. So an enterprise must choose the product according to its specific needs to reap the benefits of Java SE 8. To get maximum benefits of Java development, you may consider hiring services of a Java web development company.

We provide Java development services. If you would like to discuss with a expert Java developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.