Java update due in September would enhance pattern matching by allowing primitive type patterns in all pattern contexts. Credit: Marina_Skoropadskaya / Getty Images Although not expected to arrive until September, Java Development Kit 23 already has been assigned its first feature, an enhancement to pattern matching. JDK 23 would follow JDK 22 by six months. JDK 22 is due in March with capabilities such as previews of structured concurrency and string templates. The OpenJDK page for JDK 23 lists a preview of primitive types in patterns, instanceof, and switch as the first feature targeted for the release. This JDK enhancement proposal would enhance pattern matching by allowing primitive type patterns in all pattern contexts. Goals of the proposal include enabling uniform data exploration by allowing type patterns for all types, whether primitive or reference; aligning type patterns with instanceof and aligning instanceof with safe casting; and allowing pattern matching to use primitive pattern type patterns in both nested and top-level contexts. Other goals include providing easy-to-use constructs that eliminate the risk of losing information due to unsafe casts, and allowing switch to process values of any primitive type. Motivating the proposal is the desire to eliminate multiple restrictions pertaining to primitive types that “impose friction” on developers when using pattern matching, instanceof, and switch. Eliminating these restrictions would make Java more uniform and more expressive, the proposal states. Other features likely to be included in JDK 23 are those being previewed in JDK 22, such as the class-file API and string templates. Oracle publishes new versions of standard Java every six months, in March and September. The current release of standard Java is JDK 21, which was released last September with features such as virtual threads and a generational Z garbage collector. Related content analysis Beyond the usual suspects: 5 fresh data science tools to try today The mid-month report includes quick tips for easier Python installation, a new VS Code-like IDE just for Python and R users, and five newer data science tools you won't want to miss. By Serdar Yegulalp Jul 12, 2024 2 mins Python Programming Languages Software Development analysis Generative AI won’t fix cloud migration You’ve probably heard how generative AI will solve all cloud migration problems. It’s not that simple. Generative AI could actually make it harder and more costly. By David Linthicum Jul 12, 2024 5 mins Generative AI Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing news HR professionals trust AI recommendations HireVue survey finds 73% of HR professionals trust AI to make candidate recommendations, while 75% of workers are opposed to AI making hiring decisions. By Paul Krill Jul 11, 2024 3 mins Technology Industry Careers how-to Safety off: Programming in Rust with `unsafe` What does it mean to write unsafe code in Rust, and what can you do (and not do) with the 'unsafe' keyword? The facts may surprise you. By Serdar Yegulalp Jul 11, 2024 8 mins Rust Programming Languages Software Development Resources Videos