Java and GraalVM: native image improvements

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  • August 05,2025

Java and GraalVM: native image improvements

GraalVM's Native Image tech compiles Java apps ahead-of-time into lightweight, fast-starting executables. Recent improvements optimize multithreading and reduce image size, boosting startup speed and efficiency—ideal for cloud, microservices, and containerized Java deployments.

Java and GraalVM: Native Image Improvements

1 ) Introduction to GraalVM Native Image

  GraalVM provides an advanced JDK with ahead of time (AOT) native image compilation.

  Native images compiled with GraalVM start up instantly and require no warmup, unlike traditional JVMs.

  They use significantly fewer CPU and memory resources, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.

  Native executables have a smaller attack surface by including only necessary classes, methods, and fields.

  Popular Java frameworks (Spring Boot, Micronaut, Helidon, Quarkus) and leading cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud) support GraalVM.

2 ) New Optimization for Faster Startup

  BellSoft engineers introduced a novel optimization focusing on the core SubstrateVM component of GraalVM, which handles native image runtime.

  The improvement targets the monitor enter/exit routines, essential for managing synchronized blocks and multithreading.

  Enhanced handling of these monitor operations reduces overhead at startup, enabling faster launching of multithreaded native images.

3 ) Liberica Native Image Kit (NIK) Release 24.1 )0

  Liberica NIK is based on GraalVM Community Edition and aligns with the latest JDK release cadence.

  Version 24.1 )0 includes important enhancements:

    A new optimization level  Os focused on generating smaller native images.

    Reachability metadata collection is streamlined into a single `reachability metadata.json` file rather than multiple separate JSON files, simplifying configuration and maintenance.

  NIK builds provide updated JDK versions with security fixes and performance improvements consistent with GraalVM updates.

4 ) Benefits and Ecosystem Support

  Native images improve Java application's cloud native capabilities by reducing startup time and memory footprint.

  Smaller, faster native executables facilitate deployment in microservices, serverless, and containerized environments.

  GraalVM and Liberica NIK continue to enhance interoperability, developer tooling, and integration with common Java build systems like Maven and Gradle.

  These advancements solidify GraalVM as a leading choice for Java developers seeking optimized native performance without sacrificing compatibility or ecosystem support.

Summary:  

Recent enhancements in GraalVM’s native image technology, including BellSoft's optimization of monitor routines and Liberica Native Image Kit's improved metadata handling and size optimized builds, contribute to faster startup times, smaller executables, and better resource efficiency. Combined with robust framework and cloud platform integrations, these improvements make GraalVM native images an increasingly compelling option for building efficient, scalable Java applications.

 

 

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