"LazyConstants in JDK 26" [IJN]

From Inside Java by David Delabassee

March 6, 2026 · 11 min · Season 3 · Episode 5

About this episode

This episode discusses the introduction of LazyConstant in JDK 26 and its implications for lazy initialization and constant folding in Java.

Lazily initializing fields in Java is error-prone and undermines constant-folding. JDK 26 comes with JEP 526, which previews LazyConstant , a type that lazily initializes a value through a given Supplier . It executes that supplier at most once successfully and then assigns the value to a field annotated with @Stable , which allows constant folding. This API is also a poster child for how OpenJDK develops and evolves features.

People in this episode

Host: David Delabassee

Topics covered

Java
Lazy Initialization
JDK 26
Constant Folding
OpenJDK
Software Development

Keywords

LazyConstants
JDK 26
Java
constant folding
OpenJDK
JEP 526
Supplier

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: OpenJDK

Products: JDK 26, LazyConstant

Books & works: JEP 526

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"How JDK 26 Improves G1's Throughput" [AtA] · April 9, 2026 · 17 min
"Analyzing Crashed JVMs" [IJN] · April 4, 2026 · 5 min
"Java Carrier Classes & Discussing Syntax" [AtA] · March 26, 2026 · 46 min
"Unboxing Java 26 for Developers" [IJN] · March 12, 2026 · 11 min

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