Why is Java still sexy

After a relatively long period of slow progress both the Java language and the JVM as a platform are beginning to move forward again. This year’s release of Java SE 7 introduces a number of small but important changes to the language, whilst the introduction of the InvokeDynamic bytecode instruction makes the JVM a more attractive platform for dynamically typed languages. JavaFX 2, also released this year, marks the beginning of an overhaul of the Java SE graphics stack. By the end of 2012, or perhaps early 2013, we expect to see Java EE 7 released, with Java 8 expected by mid 2013. At the same time, there’s a discernible trend amongst start-ups and small companies to use the JVM as the basis for their services, with high profile switchers including Twitter, Metadot and Nuxeo. This track will bring both Java consumers and key platform architects to examine what it is that makes Java so attractive, and what needs to be done to keep it that way.