The primary purpose of a feature release is to deliver new features and functional capabilities. While specific components within a Java ES feature release might be only update or point-fix releases, the purpose of the release is to deliver major or minor component releases. A Java ES feature release has the following general characteristics:
The release can introduce significant interface changes, new dependencies, and/or incompatibilities with respect to Java ES components
The release requires a longer planning cycle prior to adoption
Upgrade to the release generally requires reconfiguration and/or migration of component data
The release can involve significant impact or risk