Core Java APIs and programming techniques
Technologies related to Java APIs (application programming interfaces) and JDK (Java Development Kit) form the cornerstone of modern, enterprise-grade software development. Here we explore all the Java features that make the JVM great through programming tutorials, real-world code samples and expert opinions from Java champions.
Top Stories
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Tip
05 Dec 2023
A primer on Java 21 virtual threads with examples
Virtual threads let developers build applications that handle potentially millions of users and ensure consistent service delivery. Here's how Java 21 virtual threads work. Continue Reading
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Answer
01 Dec 2023
11 real benefits of microservices
There's a reason why so many vendors have moved from monoliths to microservices. Here are 11 real benefits microservices bring to companies. Continue Reading
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Answer
05 Nov 2020
Why are curly braces in programming languages important?
Curly braces play a big role in code structure within popular programming languages such as Java, C++ and more. Here's how to properly line up code with curly brackets. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2020
How IT can deal with challenges of a move online post COVID-19
What will the long-term effects be of COVID-19 on the IT industry? Early indications show that virtual conferences and telecommuting are signals of what the future will hold. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Sep 2020
How COVID-19 created a demand for COBOL basics
An uptick in COBOL interest stems from its presence in entrenched, legacy government apps, such as unemployment or apps for emergency loans. A rush to use these apps at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic reminded us all that COBOL remains a force in 2020. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Aug 2020
Here's why the const keyword in Java is not implemented
Why is the const keyword in Java not implemented? It's part of the language, but it can't be used to make a variable constant. Learn more about const and why developers continue to ponder its usage ... Continue Reading
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Video
21 Jul 2020
Why we use static final in Java for constants
Think of a class as a cookie cutter and an individual instance as a cookie. Use this analogy to visualize how static final creates unchangeable variables in Java. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2020
Oracle's release cadence opens door for Java support rivals
Oracle has opened the door for competitors to chip away at its hold on the market for providing Java support to enterprise customers. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2020
Dojo Toolkit 7 focuses on JavaScript developer productivity
Dojo Toolkit version 7 is now available. The widely used, mature JavaScript framework favored by enterprise shops gains more features for developer productivity. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
01 Jun 2020
How to make multiple values per key in a Java map possible example
Need to add multiple values to a key in a Java HashMap but can't figure out how to do it? Here are three examples of how to solve the multiple values per key problem in Java. Continue Reading
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News
28 May 2020
Quarkus goes GA, gains Red Hat Runtimes support
With Quarkus, Red Hat targets the popular Spring Boot framework to help developers use Java as a first-class language to build microservices and container-based applications. Continue Reading
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Video
27 May 2020
HashMap vs. Hashtable: Which map should you choose?
When HashMap replaced Hashtable as part of the Java 1.2 release, it moved away from how developers previously used the collections API and Java maps. Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2020
Oracle's GraalVM finds its place in Java app ecosystem
Oracle's GraalVM, a universal virtual machine that runs apps written in Java and other languages, has carved out a spot in the Java ecosystem. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Apr 2020
Kubernetes 1.18 adds more power, addresses shortcomings
Kubernetes is no doubt a powerful technology, but it has its shortcomings. For example, debugging under Kubernetes has always been a challenge. When it started out, Kubernetes was intended to run ... Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Mar 2020
How to refactor the God object class antipattern
Loose coupling can inadvertently create a God object problem in an object-oriented software system. Here's how to get rid of the issue and simplify the design in five easy steps. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2020
Oracle ships Java 14 with new preview, productivity features
With Java 14, Oracle delivers features to the Java language and platform that enhance the productivity of developers building new enterprise applications. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
30 Jan 2020
Why the 8 Java primitive data types are not objects
What's the difference between Java primitive types and objects? To start, don't classify primitive types as objects. Let's explore the 3.5 categories that primitive types fall into. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jan 2020
A brief history of Java: How it forever changed programming
The Java programming language is an important tool in an application developer's quiver. But Java has also undergone many changes on the road to becoming the standard it is today. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Dec 2019
Don't ever put a non-Java LTS release into production
Development teams should avoid non-long-term support releases at all costs. Pay attention to the Java release cycle to make sure your updates are supported. Continue Reading
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Video
26 Nov 2019
Tomcat vs. Jetty: How these Java application servers compare and differ
What is your Java application server of choice? Where you stand on the Jetty vs. Tomcat debate probably lends a hand to which one you use in production. Continue Reading
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Video
25 Nov 2019
Simple Java 8 Predicate example with lambda expressions and interfaces
Use this Java Predicate example to help developers learn lambdas, expand functional programming and reduce code verbosity in their environment. Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2019
AWS ups Java support, joins Java Community Process
By joining the Java Community Process, AWS will have its say over how the Java language and platform will evolve to meet the needs of cloud-native computing environments. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2019
AWS gets behind Rust programming language
AWS has joined Microsoft, Google, Mozilla and other major vendors in using and supporting the Rust programming language as a system programming language. Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2019
GitHub tempts enterprises with Semmle, security enhancements
With the Semmle semantic code analysis engine freshly added to its quiver, GitHub gives corporate development teams one way to boost security of their open source software. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2019
Ecstasy programming language targets cloud-native computing
Startup Xqiz.it has a new Ecstasy programming language that aims to arm developers for the cloud-native computing era with features that Java and other programming languages lack. Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Sep 2019
Microsoft vs. IBM: A major shift in Java support
Once an afterthought in the Java community, Microsoft has seemingly overtaken IBM as the preeminent advocate among developers at the Oracle Code One conference. Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2019
Eclipse launches Che 7 IDE for Kubernetes development
The Eclipse Foundation has introduced Eclipse Che 7, a new version of the Eclipse Che cloud-based integrated development environment aimed at creating applications on Kubernetes. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Sep 2019
Java's popularity hinges on future developers, adaptability
Java needs to focus on the youth, adapt to emerging tech and constantly evaluate its performance to remain popular among developers. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Sep 2019
No doubt now about Java release cycle
At the Oracle Code One keynote, the recent track record of on-time releases and feature enhancements is a topic to boast about. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2019
Eclipse completes enterprise Java move with Jakarta EE 8
The Eclipse Foundation has assumed control of the Java EE enterprise platform and specifications from Oracle and has launched an all open source version of the technology. Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2019
Microsoft gains instant Java credibility with jClarity buy
Microsoft has acquired jClarity to help optimize its Azure cloud platform to run Java workloads, a coveted target for the now open source-friendly software giant. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
08 Aug 2019
How to install the JDK on Windows and set up JAVA_HOME
You have options when it comes to JDK installations on Windows and Linux. Here are some helpful tips to ensure a proper install and why JAVA_HOME can be helpful. Continue Reading
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Video
29 Jul 2019
How to use Spring Boot application.properties file to externalize configuration
Don't wait to externalize data in your Spring configuration any longer. Master the application.properties file with this example to get more from your data. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
18 Jul 2019
How to become a good Java programmer without a degree
Great Java programmers are judged by their work, not their resume. How to become a good Java programmer without a degree largely depends on your own course of action and the hours you spend ... Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2019
Microsoft Visual Studio Code installer supports AdoptOpenJDK
Microsoft targets Java developers with a Visual Studio Code installer for Java that takes care of the overall Visual Studio Code setup for developers. Continue Reading
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Video
12 Jun 2019
The top Java deployment tools to use on your next project
Java application deployment tools such as Maven and Gradle can be beneficial for your IT team. Compare those and other options, along with frameworks, to ease this process. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2019
Pivotal Spring Runtime extends Java support, company lifeline
Pivotal's distribution of OpenJDK, the open source version of Java, joins the ranks of Amazon, Azul, IBM, Red Hat and others that provide long-term Java support. Continue Reading
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Video
24 May 2019
JDBC vs. ODBC: What's the difference between these APIs?
There are more similarities between ODBC and JDBC than there are differences. But, the differences are significant. Here we highlight them. Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2019
NetBeans Java IDE becomes top-level Apache project
The NetBeans Java development environment has achieved top-level project status at the Apache Software Foundation, a leading open source software project hosting organization. Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2019
JavaScript popularity drives TypeScript adoption among devs
More developers choose to work with JavaScript to build web, server-side and mobile applications, while TypeScript has quickly gained traction, according to recent analysis. Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2019
Oracle's Java 12 adds developer productivity features
The latest version of the Java Platform, Standard Edition, delivers new features to make developers more productive with the Java programming language. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2019
Red Hat eyes cloud-native Java future with Quarkus
Red Hat's Quarkus project aims to raise Java up to the cloud and update the popular programming language for cloud-based computing situations and projects. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Feb 2019
Java Supplier interface example for functional programming
Functional supplier interface in Java tutorial There are only half a dozen classes you really need to master to become competent in the world of functional programming. The java.util.function ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Feb 2019
A quick look at inferred types and the Java var keyword
Here's a quick look at the Java var keyword and what it looks like when you use inferred types in your code. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Jan 2019
Use Java method modifiers to avoid public method antipattern
Follow best practices for Java method design, and don't allow one public class to call another. If you skipped this step, be prepared to pay the consequences. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
01 Jan 2019
How to use Java's functional Consumer interface example
The functional consumer interface is a key part of the Java Streams API. Here is a simple Consumer interface example to show you how to use this Java component. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Dec 2018
Year in review: Five topics that epitomized Java in 2018
In 2018, we focused on what the future of Java might look like. With the IBM-Red Hat merger and the ascension of DevOps, the life and times of the Java developer are changing. Continue Reading
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News
26 Dec 2018
Red Hat's support for OpenJDK on Windows anchors Java apps
Red Hat brings long-term support for open source Java to developers who use Windows, so organizations can now choose one Java platform for desktop, data center and cloud. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Dec 2018
Recent open source flaw highlights danger of social engineering hacks
What happens when open source developers hand the keys of their project over to a new maintainer? It can expose applications to serious security threats. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Dec 2018
Why there's not really a best first programming language to learn
Some consider Java to be the best first programming language for developers to learn. But does it really matter? Most languages are made up of the same building blocks. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2018
Amazon Corretto extends OpenJDK support
With Java among the most popular languages on AWS, Amazon spins out its own distribution of the OpenJDK open source Java implementation with long-term support that exceeds Oracle's. Continue Reading
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Opinion
14 Nov 2018
Is it a mistake to teach Java as a first programming language?
Is it right to teach Java to students as an introductory programming language? If not, what are the alternatives to Java when it comes to learning how to code? Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2018
IBM and Red Hat wield power over enterprise Java
Expect enterprise Java to evolve under the influence of new stewards, including IBM and Red Hat which will likely steer it toward cloud-native and microservices development. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2018
Stop with the unsafe internal Java API calls, or the JDK will stop it for you
Soon, any code that uses Java internal APIs will not compile, and shortly after that, code that uses classes in sun.misc will not even run. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2018
Jakarta EE spec process paves way for enterprise Java
Eclipse will govern the future direction of enterprise Java for developers through the Eclipse Foundation Specification Process, and it pledges vendor-neutral support and IP protection. Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2018
Developers favor JVM languages for mobile, enterprise
A recent RedMonk report finds more developers use programming languages that run on the Java Virtual Machine to build mobile and enterprise apps. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jun 2018
Red Hat's Operator Framework set to overhaul Kubernetes clusters
Operator Framework is designed to ease deployment and management of apps on top of Kubernetes clusters. We break it down with former CoreOS CEO Alex Polvi. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2018
Java versioning: Why Java 10 maps to version 18.3 of the JDK
When it comes to Java versioning, things have never been straightforward. Java 2 mapped to JDK 1.2. Java 5 mapped to JDK 1.5. But how did Java 10 end up mapping to JDK 18.3? Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Mar 2018
Why the new Java 10 features list is so small
Was it just me, or did the Java 10 release just creep up on everyone? Given, a March release for Java 10 was planned a long time ago, but given Oracle's spotty history in terms of pushing out ... Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Mar 2018
Rust and Python top list of most popular development languages
A new Stack Overflow survey of over 100,000 developers indicated Java and JavaScript are not as popular as they had been before. Find out what developers really want to program with. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Feb 2018
Containers and the cloud push middleware technology forward
Is the application server dead? Not really. But the role of middleware technology has certainly changed in ways that impact both operations and developers. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Feb 2018
What can the Java community expect from Oracle in 2018?
Questions remain as to how bumpy the road may be as Oracle changes the release cadence and embraces OpenJDK. Is the Java community ready for the ride? Continue Reading
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Podcast
24 Jan 2018
Here's how to add Java certified developer to your resume
Ever think about acquiring your Java certification? Here we take a look at the benefits of getting Java certified and the steps to take to ensure that it happens. Continue Reading
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Podcast
09 Jan 2018
Fearless enhancement of legacy Java code with new SE features
While the Java SE 9 release has everyone talking about new features and syntax enhancements, JNBridge's Wayne Citrin insists legacy Java developers need not feel left behind. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Dec 2017
What thought leaders were saying about Java SE 9 in 2017
Understandably, Java SE 9 was a popular topic of discussion in 2017, but so were DevOps and cloud native, according to this list of the 10 most popular podcasts of 2017. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Nov 2017
The impact of Java SE 9 on operations and development teams
Just prior to JavaOne, TheServerSide spoke with ZeroTurnaround's Simon Maple about all of the things going on with Java SE 9 and the greater Java ecosystem. A couple of interesting articles eluted ... Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Nov 2017
Owning the Java Platform is more of a burden or a blessing
Oracle became stewards of the Java platform as a by-product of their acquisition of Sun Microsystems. But looking back, it seems that the Java Platform has been more of a burden than a blessing. Continue Reading
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Podcast
18 Oct 2017
Migrations to Oracle's Java SE 9 platform may be delayed
Oracle did a great job getting Java SE 9 released earlier this year, but modularity and various smaller updates may not be enough to get users to quickly migrate to JDK 9. Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2017
Java 18.3 marks the future of Java at JavaOne 2017
At JavaOne 2017, Oracle identified four projects that will have a significant impact on the future of Java: Project Valhalla, Project Panama, Project Amber and Project Loom. Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2017
Java modules and Project Jigsaw a source of JavaOne 2017 pride
It wasn't easy getting Project Jigsaw ratified, but it is now part of the Java SE 9 package, and Oracle executives at JavaOne 2017 couldn't be prouder. Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2017
Azure Functions, Project Fn shine at JavaOne 2017
At JavaOne 2017, Microsoft previews its Azure Functions serverless offering with support for Java; Oracle introduces Project Fn, which runs across multiple clouds and also supports Java. Continue Reading
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Podcast
03 Oct 2017
Oracle VP talks Java EE 8, Java platform update at JavaOne
Will the future involvement of the Eclipse Foundation lead to a faster and more nimble Java platform update process? Oracle's Michael Lehmann believes it will. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2017
Java SE 9, OpenJDK energize Java community at JavaOne 2017
From the release of Java 9 to the GPL of OpenJDK builds, recent Oracle announcements have energized the Java community, creating a palpable positivity at JavaOne 2017. Continue Reading
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News
02 Oct 2017
Keynote speakers open up at JavaOne 2017
From the release of JDK 9 to the open sourcing of serverless programming technologies, the JavaOne 2017 keynote paved a path for a progressive future. Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Sep 2017
JavaOne 2017 walks a new path
It always left a bitter taste in my mouth seeing JavaOne relegated to a bunch of hotels by San Francisco's Union Square while OracleWorld filled the Moscone building. It's nice to see JavaOne 2017 and Oracle OpenWorld now sharing the same convention center. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Sep 2017
JavaEE 8 and Java 9 trending large at JavaOne 2017
What are the big trends in the Java world today? Just look at the JavaOne 2017 schedule and you'll see it goes way beyond just JavaEE 8 and the new Java 9 release. Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2017
Oracle releases Java 9, Java EE 8
Oracle released the long-awaited Java 9, along with Java EE 8 -- each with key improvements to simplify the development process using the language, including modularity in Java 9. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2017
Oracle moves Java EE to Eclipse Foundation
In an effort to spur innovation and collaboration on the Java EE platform, Oracle has enlisted the help of IBM and Red Hat in moving Java EE to the Eclipse Foundation. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2017
Calling 'all aboard' on the six-month Java release train
If Oracle moves to a six-month Java release cycle instead of the existing feature-driven one, what happens next? We talk to Azul's Gil Tene about Mark Reinhold's proposal. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2017
CloudBees eases the DevOps journey with DevOptics
CloudBees has introduced DevOptics, a tool that provides end-to-end insight into application delivery streams, helps to identify problems and eases the overall DevOps journey. Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2017
The hidden threat lurking in an otherwise secure software stack
All it takes is a fork from the main branch and a re-branding of the code, and the next thing you know, there's a hidden threat in your software. Here's how to protect against it. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2017
Effective DevOps change management for versioning cloud apps
There are many ways to go about versioning your cloud applications, but new approaches may need to be implemented when performing DevOps change management. Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2017
Coding Dojo adds full-stack Java developer course, drops Rails
Programming boot camp Coding Dojo has abandoned its Ruby on Rails training courses and launched higher-demand, full-stack Java developer courses for job seekers. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Jul 2017
Effective approaches to mentoring women in tech
Mentoring women and men alike is a great way to enhance the talent of existing employees. Here are some ideas on how to make mentorship efforts effective for everyone, with an emphasis on inclusion for all. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2017
IBM, Lightbend team up on cognitive application development platform
IBM and Lightbend join forces to help bring microservices to IBM's WebSphere platform, with new Scala- and Java-based tools for cognitive application development. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Jun 2017
How cheap eye tracking software changes the app development game
Find out what the advent of low-cost eye tracking software means for the future of both marketing and application development. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jun 2017
Changing lives through improved application performance
Find out how Cure.org improved application performance management to fine tune their website, increase donations, and make a difference around the world. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jun 2017
Improving plant production performance with IT in the agriculture industry
How is big data and IT helping the agriculture industry? By looking at information in new ways, technology is helping to improve plant production performance. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Apr 2017
Java 9 will finally give the term 'deprecated' meaning
They are finally pruning away deprecated methods out of Java 9. The deprecated value will now have deprecated meaning. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Apr 2017
Is fear-mongering driving the adoption of microservices and containers?
Nobody questions the importance of microservices and containers, but is unfettered advocacy becoming problematic? Continue Reading
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Opinion
30 Mar 2017
Stop adding web UI frameworks like JSR-371 to the Java EE spec
Java EE's Servlet and JSP API provide a fine foundation for handling a web-based request-response cycle. Adding UI frameworks like JSR-371 to the spec only causes problems. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Mar 2017
One does not simply 'stop calling' Java's deprecated methods
They're deprecating the finalize method, adding another method to the long list of Java deprecated methods that tend not to get pruned out of the JDK's code base. Continue Reading
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Opinion
24 Mar 2017
Does reading XML while writing JSON make me a bad person?
I'm always writing JSON code, loving its flexibility and forgiveness. But when I call an external service, I want to be reading XML. Does that make me a bad person? Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Mar 2017
Java EE makes best-of-breed software conglomerations a thing of the past
Looking back at some of the Frankenstein-esque applications that were built using different frameworks, it's good to know there's no need for best-of-breed. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Mar 2017
IoT developers face critical questions when digitally transforming cities
Digitally transformed smart cities are the wave of the future, there’s no doubt about that. But the road to a more connected municipality is far from clear. Although there are some common ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
27 Feb 2017
How to win at an IoT hackathon
Unlike most technology hackathons, this event kept a laser focus on the commercial side of technical innovation. What was the outcome of this IoT hackathon? It was a very tight race. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Feb 2017
Arguing the business case for IoT adoption
As an increasing number of businesses embrace IoT adoption to create more efficiency, reach new market segments, and innovate for the future, they are facing challenges along the way. Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2017
How deep learning and AI techniques accelerate domain-driven design
Is the codebase aligned with the enterprise model? Deep learning and other AI technologies are helping to align domain-driven design with the organization's business objectives. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2017
Industrial IoT the newest hotbed for edge device innovation
As IoT devices saturate the home market, the latest hotbed for edge device innovation is the often overlooked world of industrial IoT (IIOT). Continue Reading
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Blog Post
26 Jan 2017
IoT entrepreneurship on display at North Texas hackathon
What better way to promote IoT entrepreneurship than by sponsoring a hackathon and awarding prizes that come with business development guidance to the winners? Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jan 2017
Top 5 challenges a successful IoT hackathon must overcome
Tahir Hussain, CEO of Collide Village, made it clear that running an IoT hackathon is no easy task. Here's what had to be overcome to make the IoT event successful. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Dec 2016
Successful DevOps transitions are literally taking off
With 1,400 systems to integrate, American Airlines had their work cut out for them when they decided to embark upon a DevOps transition. Continue Reading