Java 24, released on March 18, 2025, introduces several experimental features that represent significant advancements in JVM technology. Among the 24 Java Enhancement Proposals (JEPs) included in this release, two are designated as experimental features. Here are the three most interesting experimental innovations in Java 24. 1. Compact Object Headers (JEP 450) The Compact Object Headers feature represents a fundamental optimization in memory management for the HotSpot JVM . This experimental feature reduces the size of object headers from between 96 and 128 bits down to 64 bits on 64-bit architectures. Technical Impact The implementation demonstrates measurable benefits in real-world applications. Early adopters of Project Lilliput , which inspired this feature, report that live data is typically reduced by 10-20%. This reduction translates directly into improved heap utilization, better deployment density, and increased data locality. Activation and Usage Since this is an experimenta...
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