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Java Version – Time-Based Release Versioning

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Java Versioning Scheme (JEP 322)​

Starting from Java 10, Oracle has adapted a time-based version-string scheme (JEP 322). The new time-based model has replaced the feature-based, multi-year release model of the past. Unlike the old releases, the new time-based releases will not be delayed, and features will be released every six months, with no constraints on what features can go out in the releases.

Update Releases​

Update releases will occur every quarter (January, April, July, October). These update releases will be strictly limited to:

  • Fixes of security issues 🔒
  • Regressions 🛠️
  • Bugs in newer features 🐛

Each feature release will receive two updates before the next feature release.

Java Version Format​

If you run the command java -version in your terminal/command prompt, you'll see output similar to:

C:\Users\Lokesh>java -version
java version "10.0.1" 2018-04-17
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 18.3 (build 10.0.1+10)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 18.3 (build 10.0.1+10, mixed mode)

New Version Format​

$FEATURE.$INTERIM.$UPDATE.$PATCH
CounterDescription
$FEATUREIncremented every 6 months based on feature releases (e.g., JDK 10, JDK 11). (Formerly $MAJOR.)
$INTERIMUsually zero, as there are no interim releases in a 6-month period. It increases for non-feature releases that contain compatible bug fixes and enhancements, but no incompatible changes. (Formerly $MINOR.)
$UPDATEIncremented for compatible update releases that fix security issues, regressions, and bugs in newer features. (Formerly $SECURITY.)
$PATCHIncremented only for emergency releases to fix critical issues.

Version numbers are compared numerically and pointwise. Examples:

  • 10.0.4 is less than 10.1.2
  • 10.0.2 is less than 10.0.2.1 (missing elements are considered smaller)

Java Version API​

Want to get version details programmatically? Use Runtime.version()! 🎯

Version version = Runtime.version();
System.out.println(version.feature());  // 10
System.out.println(version.interim());  // 0
System.out.println(version.update());   // 1
System.out.println(version.patch());    // 0

Parse an Existing Version​

Version version = Runtime.Version.parse("10.0.1");
System.out.println(version.feature());  // 10
System.out.println(version.interim());  // 0
System.out.println(version.update());   // 1
System.out.println(version.patch());    // 0

Long-Term Support (LTS) 🔥​

LTS versions are mainly for enterprise customers. These versions:

  • Offer premier and sustained support from Oracle
  • Are targeted every 3 years
  • Receive updates for at least three years

LTS versions will explicitly display "LTS" in the output of java -version. Example:

11.0.2+13-LTS

Happy Learning! 🚀​