Paul Krill
Editor at Large

Oracle Helidon 4 Java microservices framework stresses virtual threads

news
Nov 3, 20232 mins

Significantly higher performance is anticipated from the open source cloud-native set of libraries.

Oracle logo on building

Oracle has released the production version of Helidon 4, a microservices framework for Java featuring a server implementation harnessing virtual threads for higher performance.

Version 4 was announced October 24; instructions can be found at helidon.io. There also is a migration guide. Before Helidon 4, the project’s web server utilized Netty as its foundation and used a reactive API. Release 4 introduces a new server, internally called Nima, designed to harness the capabilities of Java 21 virtual threads. It is intended to reduce the effort needed to write and maintain high-throughput concurrent applications. Using virtual threads is a shift from managing threads as a limited resource to considering them as readily available assets that can be generated on demand to handle an almost limitless number of concurrent requests. Also with Helidon 4, Helidon MP now supports the Eclipse MicroProfile 6.0 enterprise Java microservices architecture.

Java 21 or newer is necessary for using Helidon 4. Helidon is described by proponents as an open source set of cloud-native Java libraries for writing microservices to run on a fast web core, powered by Java virtual threads. There are two flavors: Helidon SE, which provides a microframework model with a small footprint and limited functionality, and Helidon MP, which offers a platform familiar to enterprise Java developers and features a declarative style with dependency injection.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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