The transformation of Java over the last 30 years is one of the most enduring narratives in software engineering. Originally conceived for embedded electronics, it has evolved into a global standard for distributed systems while maintaining its foundational "Write Once, Run Anywhere" (WORA) philosophy. As we reach 2026, Java is undergoing a major renaissance, converging with generative AI and high-performance heterogeneous computing. The Modern Era: From Java 21 to JDK 25 The current landscape is defined by a rapid six-month release cadence that delivers impactful features more frequently than ever before. Java 21 LTS (The Concurrency Revolution): Introduced Virtual Threads through Project Loom , allowing developers to manage millions of concurrent tasks with minimal resource consumption by decoupling Java threads from heavyweight ...