Work on Java Development Kit (JDK) 24 is underway, with 12 proposed features, including compact headers, primitive types in patterns, and linking runtime images without JMODs. The latest feature to be added is an experimental version of compact headers, which aims to reduce heap size, improve deployment density, and increase data locality.

The other features include primitive types in patterns, instanceof, and switch; generational Shenandoah garbage collector; scoped values; a key derivation function API; removal of the non-generational mode in the Z Garbage Collector; stream gatherers; a vector API; a class-file API; warnings to prepare developers for future restrictions on the use of JNI; and a late barrier expansion for the G1 garbage collector. JDK 24 is set for release in March 2025 and will receive only six months of Premier-level support from Oracle.

The enhancements in JDK 24 are expected to improve the performance, security, and usability of Java applications. With the release of JDK 24, developers can expect to see improvements in areas such as garbage collection, data processing, and security. The compact headers feature, in particular, is expected to have a significant impact on the size and efficiency of Java applications.