Oracle Java 27 and JDK 27 release

Oracle has released Java 27 and Oracle JDK 27, the 18th feature release in its six-month cycle. The update introduces several major JDK Enhancement Proposals (JEPs) aimed at optimizing performance for AI workloads, improving developer productivity, and enhancing security.

A primary focus of the release is the implementation of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). This includes JEP 527, which introduces post-quantum hybrid key exchange for TLS 1.3 to protect data against future quantum computing threats. Other security updates include the introduction of PEM encoding for cryptographic objects and enhancements to JDK Flight Recorder to automatically mask sensitive information.

Performance improvements include making the G1 garbage collector the default for all environments, implementing compact object headers to reduce heap usage, and introducing the Vector API to increase processing speeds for AI inference and scientific computing. Additionally, Oracle is moving toward a more frequent security update model, transitioning from quarterly to a near-monthly cadence through Critical Security Patch Updates (CSPU).