Difference Between Java 7 and Java 8

Java 7 was released in 2011 by Oracle as the foremost upgrade of Java after being acquired from Sun Microsystems. It is the only final version of Java that supports Windows XP.

Java 8 was released in March 2014 by Oracle with features like Lambda Expressions making history in the field of coding languages through a speedy and enhanced JVM, making it possible to run programs more efficiently.

Key Takeaways

1. Java 7 is an earlier version of the Java programming language, released in 2011, which introduced features like the try-with-resources statement and improved type inference for generic instance creation.
2. Java 8, released in 2014, brought significant enhancements, including the introduction of lambda expressions, default methods in interfaces, and the Stream API for easier data manipulation.
3. Both Java 7 and Java 8 are versions of the popular Java programming language, but Java 8 offers advanced features and functionality that have streamlined and improved Java programming.

Java 7 vs Java 8

The difference between java 7 and java 8 is that java 7 was the foremost update of the Java programming language introduced by Oracle Corporation whereas java 8 came as an upgraded version of Java SE 7 with features like the Lambda Expressions

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Comparison Table

Parameter of Comparison	Java 7	Java 8
Code name	Dolphin	Spider
Features	Some of the features of Java 7 are Handling of Multiple exceptions, Updated class-loader architecture, Enhanced type inference, Updated Rowset 1.1 and JDBC 4.1, Enhanced Managed Beans, Automatic resource management in try-statement, Compressed 64-bit pointers, JVM support and so much more.	Some of the features of Java 8 are Lambda Expressions, Interface default and Static Methods, Unsigned Integer Arithmetic, Concurrent API enhancements, Null Reference Template, New JavaScript Engine, Nashorn, New and improved Stream API, Withdrawal of permanent generation and so much more.
Developed by and in which year	Oracle Corporation on Jan 27, 2010	Oracle Corporation Mar 18, 2014
Main upgrade	JVM support for dynamically-typed languages	Lambda expressions
Supports on	Windows XP	not supported on Windows XP but forced installation can be done

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What is Java 7?

Also named as Dolphin, Java 7 was the foremost update of the Java programming language introduced by Oracle Corporation since its final purchase from Sun Microsystems on Jan 27, 2010 while hosting a worldwide event for the launch of Java Standard Edition (SE) 7.

The launch of Java SE 7 showed how committed Oracle was towards language and technology and came as a big achievement for Sun Microsystems who was now a fully owned subsidiary of Oracle Corporation.

Java 7 was not only an achievement but also a major upgrade for Java, taking Oracle to a whole new level.

This new version offers some amazing upgrades such as major bug fixes,  improved support for non-Java languages, plus type interference support for generic class creation etc.

Some of the features of Java 7 are:

1. Project Coins
2. String object in switch statement
3. Handling of Multiple exceptions to reduce duplication of codes
4. Updated class-loader architecture
5. Enhanced type inference for generic instance
6. Updated Rowset 1.1 and JDBC 4.1
7. Enhanced Managed Beans
8. Automatic resource management in try-statement
9. JVM support and many more.

 

What is Java 8?

Also known as Spider, Java SE 8 as an unconventional release to an already present Java programming language by bringing some major adjustments and updates to the same.

It has a quality JavaScript engine, latest APIs for date and time manipulation, better and rapid JVM and so much more.

Java SE 8 is moving forward in the race by bringing upgrades like the lambda expressions. This is one of the most remarkable upgrades that is bringing the computer language platform to its height.

Java Development Kit 8 was developed by Oracle on Mar 18, 2014 making a mark in the community through its all-new lambda expressions for programming.

There were a number of features that were thought to be added in Java SE 7 but then with development were added in the Java SE 8, marking it an upgrade i.e. The lambda expressions.

Some of the features of Java 8 are:

1. Lambda Expressions
2. Interface default and Static Methods
3. Unsigned Integer Arithmetic
4. Concurrent API enhancements
5. Parallel Sorting
6. Null Reference Template
7. New JavaScript Engine, Nashorn
8. New and improved Stream API
9. Withdrawal of permanent generation

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Main Differences Between Java 7 and Java 8

1. The codename for java 7 is dolphin and the codeman for java 8 is spider
2. Some of the features of Java 7 are Handling of Multiple exceptions, Updated class-loader architecture, Enhanced type inference, Updated Rowset 1.1 and JDBC 4.1, Enhanced Managed Beans, Automatic resource management in try-statement, Compressed 64-bit pointers, JVM support and so much more
3. Whereas Some of the features of Java 8 are Lambda Expressions, Interface default and Static Methods, Unsigned Integer Arithmetic, Concurrent API enhancements, Null Reference Template, New JavaScript Engine, Nashorn, New and improved Stream API, Withdrawal of permanent generation and so much more.
4. Java 7 was developed by Oracle Corporation on Jan 27, 2010 whereas java 8 was developed by Oracle Corporation on Mar 18, 2014
5. Main upgrade for java 7 is JVM support for dynamically-typed languages  whereas for java 8
6. Java 7 is supported on windows XP whereas java 8 is not supported on Windows XP but forced installation can be done

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References

1. https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2647508.2647514
2. https://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/preface/0/1/3/5/013547194X.pdf