The future of the Java developer experience in Visual Studio Code

A big big thank you!

We are delighted to announce that Visual Studio Code has garnered a vibrant community of over 2.5 million Java developers. This remarkable achievement owes its existence to the unwavering support from our exceptional community and users. To express our sincere appreciation, we extend heartfelt gratitude for your continued collaboration and engagement!

Joint roadmap announcement: Red Hat and Microsoft elevate developer experience in VS Code Java IDE extension!

Today we are announcing a groundbreaking collaboration between Red Hat and Microsoft that is set to redefine the developer experience in the realm of Language Support for Java(TM) by Red Hat. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our commitment to empowering developers and fostering innovation within the open source community.

Unveiling the 6-month roadmap for developer experience

Over the next six months, Red Hat and Microsoft will be working hand-in-hand to deliver a series of enhancements and features aimed at elevating the developer experience within the Language support for Java  VS Code extension. Our joint roadmap is focused on transforming your coding journey, providing you with cutting-edge tools and capabilities to streamline your development workflow.

Here's a sneak peek into what you can expect:

• Java 21 support: Full support around Java 21 and upcoming Java Development Kit (JDK) releases.
• Enhanced code navigation: Seamlessly navigate through your Java codebase with improved efficiency and precision.
• Advanced debugging capabilities: We're introducing new debugging features to help you identify and resolve issues more effectively.
• Intelligent code completion: Experience an elevated level of coding productivity with smarter and more context-aware code completion suggestions.
• Collaborative coding: Foster collaboration within your development team through enhanced collaborative coding features, making it easier for you to work together.
• Performance optimizations: Say goodbye to lags and delays—our optimizations will help provide a smoother and faster coding experience.
• Expanded language support: We're broadening language support to encompass the latest Java features, helping you stay ahead in the dynamic world of software development.

Red Hat's contribution to Java developer experiences in VS Code

At Red Hat we are committed to enhancing the Java developer experience within VS Code, and our efforts have already started to bear fruit. The Language support for Java ™ for Visual Studio Code extension, powered by Red Hat, has witnessed a significant growth in monthly active users, reflecting the growing community of developers choosing our tools to build software.

Moreover, our commitment to continuous improvement is evident in the increasing number of downloads for the Language support for Java ™ IDE extension, reaching 30 million downloads. Developers worldwide are recognizing the value this extension provides, and we're dedicated to raising the bar even higher.

Red Hat's commitment to Java

It doesn't end with this collaboration. Red Hat has been a prolific contributor to Java for over a decade, working with key working groups and components of the Java ecosystem like OpenJDK, Jakarta EE, Eclipse Adoptium and Visual Studio Code. Red Hat is committed to providing Java developers with the tools they need to build applications faster and more efficiently, and provide enterprise support for the latest Java releases (such as the new release of Red Hat build of OpenJDK 21) as well as extended support for earlier releases such as OpenJDK 11. This collaboration brings these capabilities and more directly to developers, using the tools they already know.

Stats that speak volumes

• Monthly active users: Experiencing a remarkable 20% month-over-month growth, showcasing the increasing preference for our Language support for Java ™ VS Code Extension.
• Number of downloads: Surpassing the 30 million mark, our extension has become a go-to choice for developers seeking a powerful and feature-rich Java development environment.

A stylish future for Java development in VS Code

This collaboration is not just about lines of code; it's about crafting an immersive and stylish developer experience. Red Hat and Microsoft are dedicated to bringing you a development environment that not only excels in functionality but also delights in design.

Stay tuned for monthly updates as we roll out new features, optimizations and enhancements to make your Java development journey in VS Code more delightful and efficient than ever before.

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey. Together, let's shape the future of Java development!

Happy coding!

Learn more

• Visit the Marketplace to learn more about our offerings and download the extension
• Open an issue on our GitHub Issues page
• Send an email to: devtools-pm@redhat.com
• Join us at DevNation Day India, 2023 for more detail discussions