Level up your Java web applications with Virtual Threads — where speed meets simplicity, and performance breaks all records on the field!

As Java continues its journey of innovation, the advent of Virtual Threads via Project Loom is poised to be a game-changer in the way developers tackle concurrency in Java web frameworks. Virtual Threads promise to unlock unparalleled scalability, turbocharge performance, and simplify development like never before. In this blog, we’ll dive into the transformative impact of Virtual Threads on popular Java web frameworks, stack them up against traditional threading models, and walk you through practical examples complete with code snippets that showcase their potential. Get ready to explore the future of Java concurrency!

Concurrency Dilemma in Java Web Frameworks

Java web frameworks like Spring, Quarkus, and Micronaut have traditionally leaned on standard threading models, often leveraging thread pools to manage incoming requests. While this approach has been effective, it comes with its own set of challenges:

• Thread Overhead: Traditional threads consume a considerable amount of memory, leading to significant overhead and capping scalability, particularly in high-traffic environments.
• Increased Complexity: Managing thread pools, dealing with synchronization, and preventing thread exhaustion can introduce unnecessary complexity into web applications.
• Scalability Roadblocks: As the volume of concurrent requests rises, the thread pool can become a bottleneck, resulting in increased latency and diminished throughput.

This sets the stage for the transformative potential of Virtual Threads.

Enter Virtual Threads: A New Era of Concurrency

Virtual Threads are ultra-lightweight, enabling the creation of massive numbers without the heavy overhead linked to traditional threads. This innovation empowers web frameworks to manage a vast number of concurrent requests more efficiently, dramatically enhancing scalability and performance.

Virtual Threads vs. Traditional Threads: The Ultimate Showdown in Java Web Frameworks

As Java continues to evolve, the introduction of Virtual Threads is changing the game for web developers. In this ultimate showdown, Virtual Threads go head-to-head with traditional threading models across various Java web frameworks like Spring Boot, Quarkus, and Micronaut. Let’s dive into this exciting competition and see how Virtual Threads can lead your team to victory by boosting performance, scalability, and simplicity.

Example 1: Spring Boot — The Asynchronous Task Battle

Traditional Approach: The Veteran Team
The traditional approach in Spring Boot relies on the tried-and-true @Async annotation to handle asynchronous tasks. This veteran strategy has served us well, but it comes with some baggage, particularly when facing a high volume of tasks.

import org.springframework.scheduling.annotation.Async;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;

@Service
public class TaskService {
    @Async
    public void executeTask() throws InterruptedException {
        Thread.sleep(2000);
        System.out.println("Task executed by thread: "   Thread.currentThread().getName());
    }
}

Virtual Threads Approach: The Rising Star
Enter Virtual Threads, the rising star of the team. With Virtual Threads, you can tackle asynchronous tasks with ease, eliminating the overhead that weighs down traditional threads. The result? A leaner, faster, and more efficient team performance.

import org.springframework.stereotype.Service;

@Service
public class TaskService {

    public void executeTask() throws InterruptedException {
        Thread.startVirtualThread(() -> {
            try {
                Thread.sleep(2000);
                System.out.println("Task executed by virtual thread: "   Thread.currentThread().getName());
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
        }).join();
    }
}

Example 2: Quarkus — The Concurrency Challenge

Traditional Approach: The Old Guard
Quarkus’ traditional approach to handling concurrent HTTP requests involves the classic thread pool model. While reliable, this approach can struggle under the pressure of high concurrency, leading to potential bottlenecks.

import javax.ws.rs.GET;
import javax.ws.rs.Path;

@Path("/hello")
public class TraditionalExampleQ {

    @GET
    public String hello() throws InterruptedException {
        Thread.sleep(1000);
        return "Hello, Medium!";
    }
}

Virtual Threads Approach: The New Contender
The new contender, Virtual Threads, steps up to the challenge with unmatched efficiency. By allowing Quarkus to handle a high number of concurrent requests seamlessly, Virtual Threads bring agility and speed to the team, ensuring victory in the concurrency challenge.

import javax.ws.rs.GET;
import javax.ws.rs.Path;

@Path("/hello")
public class VirtualExampleQ {

    @GET
    public String hello() {
        var result = Thread.startVirtualThread(() -> {
            try {
                Thread.sleep(1000);
                return "Hello, Medium!";
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
        });
        return result.join();
    }
}

Example 3: Micronaut — The Non-Blocking Play

Traditional Approach: The Classic Playbook
Micronaut’s traditional non-blocking I/O operations have always been part of its classic playbook. While effective, these plays can be complex and resource-intensive, sometimes slowing down the team.

import io.micronaut.http.annotation.Controller;
import io.micronaut.http.annotation.Get;

@Controller("/hello")
public class TraditionalExampleM {

    @Get("/")
    public String index() throws InterruptedException {
        Thread.sleep(1000);
        return "Hello, Medium!";
    }

Virtual Threads Approach: The Game-Changer
Virtual Threads simplify the playbook without sacrificing performance, acting as a game-changer for Micronaut. With this new strategy, the team can execute non-blocking operations with ease, boosting overall efficiency.

import io.micronaut.http.annotation.Controller;
import io.micronaut.http.annotation.Get;

@Controller("/hello")
public class VirtualExampleM {

    @Get("/")
    public String index() {
        var result = Thread.startVirtualThread(() -> {
            try {
                Thread.sleep(1000);
                return "Hello, Medium!";
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
        });
        return result.join();
    }
}

Example 4: Spring Boot — The Data Processing Face-Off

Traditional Approach: The Heavyweight
Handling large datasets in parallel using traditional threads can feel like a heavyweight match. The old strategy involves resource-intensive operations that can slow down the team’s momentum.

import java.util.List;
import java.util.concurrent.ExecutorService;
import java.util.concurrent.Executors;

public class DataProcessor {

    public void processData(List data) {
        ExecutorService executorService = Executors.newFixedThreadPool(10);
        for (String item : data) {
            executorService.submit(() -> {
                // Process each item
                processItem(item);
            });
        }
        executorService.shutdown();
    }

    private void processItem(String item) {
        System.out.println("Processing item: "   item);
    }
}

Virtual Threads Approach: The Lightweight Champion
The lightweight champion, Virtual Threads, steps into the ring with a more efficient approach to parallel data processing. By cutting down on resource consumption, Virtual Threads allow the team to handle large datasets with ease, delivering a knockout performance.

import java.util.List;
import java.util.concurrent.ExecutorService;
import java.util.concurrent.Executors;

public class DataProcessor {

    public void processData(List data) {
        ExecutorService executorService = Executors.newVirtualThreadPerTaskExecutor();
        for (String item : data) {
            executorService.submit(() -> {
                // Process each item
                processItem(item);
            });
        }
        executorService.shutdown();
    }

    private void processItem(String item) {
        System.out.println("Processing item: "   item);
    }
}

Example 5: Quarkus — The High-Concurrency Duel

Traditional Approach: The Seasoned Warrior
In Quarkus, managing high-concurrency tasks with traditional threads has been the seasoned warrior’s approach. However, the old guard can struggle to keep up with the increasing demands, leading to slower execution times.

import io.quarkus.runtime.StartupEvent;

import javax.enterprise.event.Observes;
import java.util.concurrent.ExecutorService;
import java.util.concurrent.Executors;

public class TaskManager {

    void onStart(@Observes StartupEvent ev) {
        ExecutorService executorService = Executors.newFixedThreadPool(10);
        for (int i = 0; i  {
                // Execute a high-concurrency task
                executeTask();
            });
        }
        executorService.shutdown();
    }

    private void executeTask() {
        System.out.println("Task executed by thread: "   Thread.currentThread().getName());
    }
}

Virtual Threads Approach: The Agile Challenger
The agile challenger, Virtual Threads, enters the duel with unmatched speed and flexibility. By managing high-concurrency tasks effortlessly, Virtual Threads ensure that Quarkus remains fast and responsive, winning the high-concurrency duel.

`import io.quarkus.runtime.StartupEvent;

import javax.enterprise.event.Observes;
import java.util.concurrent.ExecutorService;
import java.util.concurrent.Executors;

public class TaskManager {

    void onStart(@Observes StartupEvent ev) {
        ExecutorService executorService = Executors.newVirtualThreadPerTaskExecutor();
        for (int i = 0; i  {
                // Execute a high-concurrency task
                executeTask();
            });
        }
        executorService.shutdown();
    }

    private void executeTask() {
        System.out.println("Task executed by virtual thread: "   Thread.currentThread().getName());
    }
}`

Game Changers or Pitfalls? Navigating the Challenges of Virtual Threads

These examples demonstrate how Virtual Threads can simplify and enhance concurrency management in various scenarios across different Java web frameworks. By leveraging Virtual Threads, you can achieve better performance, scalability, and simpler code, making it easier to build responsive and efficient web applications.

Even though Virtual Threads bring a lot to the table, it’s crucial to be aware of potential challenges that might affect your game plan. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Blocking I/O: The Defensive Weakness Just like any strong defense, Virtual Threads can stumble if blocked by I/O operations. To keep your team’s performance top-notch, make sure your web framework or application doesn’t block Virtual Threads during I/O tasks.
• Thread-Local Variables: The Tactical Shift Virtual Threads handle thread-local variables differently from traditional threads. This tactical shift could impact applications that rely heavily on these variables, so stay alert and adjust your strategy accordingly.
• Library Compatibility: The Unknown Opponent Not all third-party libraries are fully on board with Virtual Threads yet. This unknown opponent could pose challenges, so thorough testing is key to ensuring your team plays smoothly with all the necessary tools.

These challenges are like tricky plays in the game — understanding them will help you make the most of Virtual Threads while avoiding any potential pitfalls on your path to victory.

Final Whistle: Virtual Threads Take the Win in Java Web Frameworks

Virtual Threads are set to revolutionise how Java web frameworks handle concurrency, leading to a major shift in the game. By slashing overhead, streamlining thread management, and boosting scalability, Virtual Threads empower developers to craft web applications that are both more efficient and highly responsive. Whether you’re playing with Spring, Quarkus, or Micronaut, bringing Virtual Threads into your framework’s lineup can result in game-changing performance enhancements.

In this matchup, Virtual Threads have proven themselves as the MVP (Most Valuable Player), delivering the winning edge in the race for superior web application performance.

Kick Off Your Virtual Threads Journey and Score Big

If you’re playing in the Java web framework arena, now’s the perfect time to start experimenting with Virtual Threads. Begin by refactoring a small part of your application, monitor the performance boosts, and as you gain confidence, expand your playbook to include Virtual Threads throughout your codebase. Step up your game, and watch as your application delivers a winning performance.

Here’s to hitting all the goals — happy coding, and may your app be the MVP on the field! ??