Excelsior JET Roadmap
Last Updated: January 26, 2012
We have put this roadmap together to keep you updated on where Excelsior JET is heading and to let you help us shape its future. Read it, ask questions, and make suggestions - we are looking forward to hearing from you!
Most importantly, we need to know the demand for Java 7.
Projected Release/EOL Schedule
| Date | Version | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19-Sep-2011 |
7.6 GA |
Performance improvements, support for: Java 6 Update 27 Eclipse RCP 3.7 Indigo Apache Tomcat 7 |
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This is planned to be the last 32-bit only release. The priority for 7.6 is to complete as much of the Excelsior JET Runtime reviewing/rewriting as possible, so as to (a) let the users reap the first benefits of our work on the 64-bit version; and (b) have the Runtime tested in the field ahead of the 64-bit release. Excelsior JET 7.6 will therefore not sport any major feature enhancements, but the performance of runtime-bound applications is expected to increase substantially, especially on multi-core/multiprocessor systems. |
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| 16‑Dec‑2011 | 7.0 EOL |
End Of Life for version 7.0 | |
29-Dec-2011 |
8.0 alpha |
First public appearance of the 64-bit version | |
Skipped in favor of an earlier 64-bit release |
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| Unless the demand for Java 7 turns out to be bigger than the demand for 64-bit, we would rather skip this release, as the 64-bit one is already long overdue. | |||
| 2Q-2012 | 8.0 beta |
Support for 64-bit complete |
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| 3Q-2012 | 8.0 GA |
64-bit x86 support Java 7 support |
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The Long Road To 64-bit
During the preliminary stages of our work on the 64-bit port, we had realized that we must get rid of the technical debt accrued for ten years, otherwise further development and maintenance of the product would become problematic, and its stability and robustness would be at risk. So we had to make a tough decision…
Right now, we are thoroughly reviewing and rewriting the Excelsior JET Runtime using new technologies. We have already found a few bugs along the way and backported the fixes to then supported versions.
We have put together the first alpha in the end of 2011, but there is still a lot of work ahead. You may track our progress e.g. via RSS
That said, we have already made a number of platform-independent improvements on the way to the 64-bit version, and more are coming. So we did one more 32-bit only release in 2011. Version 7.6 has delivered better application performance, especially for heavily threaded apps running on multi-core chips.
Java 7 Support, Where Are Thou?
Although we would prefer to concentrate on the 64-bit port, we realize that the demand for Java 7 may create enough urgency to mandate yet another 32-bit release. It is therefore crucial that you let us know what is more important for you.
