Java 9 will provide a module-system, called Jigsaw. Besides modularising the JDK itself, Java developers can build more modular applications with Jigsaw. Modularity and Java go back way longer, though. OSGi, the de facto standard for modularity in Java has been around since 2000. Adoption is increasing in recent years. A modular architecture has many advantages, such as increased decoupling resulting in more flexibility. In that sense, native support for Java modularity is very welcome. The big question now is: does Java 9 provide everything you need to build truly modular applications? Since Java 9 needs to maintain backwards compatibility, some compromises need to be made while enforcing module boundaries. This talk discusses what you really need to build modular applications. We’ll investigate which requirements are met (or not) by both module systems. You’ll see that both Jigsaw and OSGi provided pieces of the modularity puzzle. Also, you’ll learn whether having an additional modular runtime such as OSGi on top of Java 9 still makes sense.
Bio van Sander Mak & Paul Bakker Sander crafts scalable software at Luminis Technologies. With almost a decade of experience on the JVM platform, he specializes in modular Java and JavaScript development. Additionally, data analysis and machine learning are part of his ever growing list of interests. Sander loves sharing knowledge, for example through his blog at http://branchandbound.net and by writing for the Dutch Java Magazine. He speaks regularly at international developer conferences, sharing his passion for Java, alternative JVM languages and related technologies.
