Java Language Changes Summary

New Language Features

The following table lists the new features in the Java language since Java SE 9.

Table 1-1 Java Language Changes Summary

Release	New Language Features
9	Java Platform Module System (JSR 376): see Project Jigsaw on OpenJDK Milling Project Coin ( JEP 213): seeJava Language Changes for Java SE 9 Small Enhancements to the Java Programming Language (JSR 334): see Java Language Changes for Java SE 9
10	Local Variable Type Inference (JEP 286)
11	Local-Variable Syntax for Lambda Parameters (JEP 323): see Local Variable Type Inference
14	Switch Expressions (JEP 361)
15	Text Blocks (JEP 378)
16	Record Classes (JEP 395) Pattern Matching for instanceof (JEP 394)
17	Sealed Classes (JEP 409)

Permanent and Preview Language Features

The following table lists, for each release since Java SE 9, which language features became permanent and which language features were in preview. See Preview Features for information about preview features and how they can become permanent.

Table 1-2 Java Language Changes Summary

Release	Permanent Features	Preview Features
17	Sealed Classes (JEP 409)	Pattern Matching for switch Expressions and Statements
16	Record Classes (JEP 395) Pattern Matching for instanceof (JEP 394	Sealed Classes
15	Text Blocks (JEP 378)	Sealed Classes Record Classes Pattern Matching for instanceof
14	Switch Expressions (JEP 361)	Pattern Matching for the instanceof Operator Records Text Blocks
13		Text Blocks, see Programmer's Guide to Text Blocks Switch Expressions
12		Switch Expressions
11	Local-Variable Syntax for Lambda Parameters (JEP 323): see Local Variable Type Inference
10	Local Variable Type Inference (JEP 286)
9	Java Platform Module System (JSR 376): see Project Jigsaw on OpenJDK Milling Project Coin (JEP 213): see Java Language Changes for Java SE 9 Small Enhancements to the Java Programming Language (JSR 334): see Java Language Changes for Java SE 9

Evolution of Language Features

The following tables list the changes made to the Java language since Java SE 9. The first column specifies the feature while the subsequent columns specify a Java SE release. An icon specifies whether the feature was made permanent or available as a preview feature:

: Permanent feature
, : First or second preview, respectively

See Preview Features for information about preview features and how they can become permanent or be withdrawn.

Table 1-3 Java Language Changes from Java SE 17 to Java SE 9

Feature	17	16	15	14	13	12	11	10	9
Sealed Classes	JEP 409	JEP 397	JEP 360
Record Classes		JEP 395	JEP 384	JEP 359
Pattern Matching for instanceof		JEP 394	JEP 375	JEP 305
Text Blocks			JEP 378	JEP 368	JEP 355
Switch Expressions				JEP 361	JEP 354	JEP 325
Local-Variable Syntax for Lambda Parameters: see Local Variable Type Inference							JEP 323
Local Variable Type Inference								JEP 286
Java Platform Module System: see Project Jigsaw on OpenJDK									JSR 376
Milling Project Coin: see Java Language Changes for Java SE 9									JEP 213
Small Enhancements to the Java Programming Language: see Java Language Changes for Java SE 9									JSR 334