The Java Memory Model and the Happens-Before Relation
JSR 133 rebuilt Java's thread semantics around a formal memory model in which happens-before relationships explain when writes must become visible across threads.
JSR 133 rebuilt Java's thread semantics around a formal memory model in which happens-before relationships explain when writes must become visible across threads.
OpenJDK moved the core Java implementation into an open development model, pairing GPLv2 with the Classpath Exception and creating shared governance for a platform used by many vendors.
HotSpot made runtime behavior part of the compiler's evidence, interpreting Java first, profiling real execution, and then compiling frequently executed paths with aggressive optimizations that could later be undone.
Maven's project model, artifact coordinates and Central repository turned Java dependencies into declarative metadata that clean machines and build servers could resolve automatically.
Java evolved from Sun's Oak project into a language and virtual-machine platform built around portability, managed memory and networked software.