Oracle has announced the availability of Java Development Kit (JDK) 17, the latest version of the programming language and development platform. This is also announced along with an offer of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) training and OCI certification* testing for free worldwide.
Java 17 delivers thousands of performance, stability, and security updates, as well as 14 JEPs (JDK Enhancement Proposals) that further improve the Java language and platform to help developers be more productive. Java 17 is the latest long-term support (LTS) release under Java’s six-month release cadence.
It results from an extensive collaboration between Oracle engineers and other worldwide Java developer community members via the OpenJDK Community and the Java Community Process (JCP). Since the previous JDK 11 LTS released three years ago, over 70 JEPs have been implemented.
Simpler license: Oracle JDK 17 and future JDK releases are provided under a free-to-use license until a full year after the next LTS release. Oracle will also continue providing Oracle OpenJDK releases under the open-source General Public License (GPL), as it has since 2017.
Enhancing Long-Term Support for Customers: Oracle collaborates with the Java developer community and the JCP to enhance LTS scheduling to give organizations more flexibility on when, or if, they want to migrate to a newer Java LTS version. Oracle is proposing that the next LTS release be Java 21 and made available in September 2023, which will change the ongoing LTS release cadence from three to two years.
Backed by the Oracle LTS and Java SE Subscription, customers can migrate to Java 17 at the pace that best meets their needs. In addition, Oracle will provide customers with security, performance, and bug-fix updates for Java 17 through at least September 2029.
Oracle Vice President, Software development & Java Platform Group, Georges Saab said over the last three years, the company has heard how much developers love the latest features, and seen the ecosystem truly embrace the six-month release cadence.
“One of the biggest challenges Java developers face today is that their organization only allows them to use the latest LTS release. By moving LTS releases to every two years, developers that are with conservative organizations now have more choice and access to the features that they love and want to use,” said Georges Saab.
In order to accelerate Java adoption in the cloud, Oracle recently introduced the Oracle Java Management Service, a new Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) – a native service to help organizations manage Java runtimes and applications on-premises or on any cloud.
The company’s deciosion to offer Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) training and OCI certification* testing for free worldwide helps close skills gap and creates new career opportunities with Oracle’s fast-growing cloud. The new programme includes Oracle’s entire expert-created OCI learning curriculum for all skill levels and various IT roles. Through this programme, learners have access to all OCI courses, delivered digitally, on-demand, and available in 13 languages. Oracle is also offering Oracle Autonomous Database and other certification exams free for a limited time*.
Organizations are increasingly choosing to run their mission-critical workloads on OCI because of its ability to run any cloud workload with faster migration, lower cost to operate and on a more secure, globally available platform. As OCI customer adoption continues to grow, Oracle has increased investment in programs that provide support to customers and increase access to relevant, hands-on cloud skills training to help them get the most out of the Oracle Cloud.
Oracle’s new training program enables people to gain valuable cloud expertise that can be applied to any industry, enabling them to enhance their value and grow their careers. The free training and certification also helps to expand the IT talent pool, making it easier for businesses to acquire or develop the skilled professionals they need to grow and innovate quickly.
Oracle University Senior Vice President Damien Carey said throughout the pandemic, the company has seen the IT skills gap become wider and more prominent than ever before due to its heightened reliance on high-tech and cloud skills.
“This gap not only impacts the people looking for meaningful careers but also companies seeking qualified professionals. By providing free training on arguably the fastest growing cloud technology in the industry, Oracle is helping individuals build the skills they need for successful careers and making it easier than ever for our customers to maximize the value of their Oracle Cloud investment,” said Damien Carey.
Oracle’s new program will include:
Access to the entire digital OCI training catalogue which includes courses for all levels and multiple roles, accessible anytime and anywhere with 13 languages supported
Hands-on labs through the Oracle Cloud free tier to enable practice in a live environment
An end-to-end Oracle certification experience — from preparation courses and practice exams to testing and credentialing
Live sessions taught by Oracle experts who cover best practices and provide personalized feedback
Career resources to support those who are seeking new job opportunities
