JCrete Unconference: A Convergence of Minds Shaping Java and Beyond

The JCrete 2023 Unconference stands as a premier annual event, taking place in Kolymvari (Chania, Crete) each July since 2010. Renowned for its exclusivity, this invitation-only Unconference brings together influential minds from the computing industry who have significantly impacted the field. The core theme revolves around Java and related subjects, fostering an environment where participants engage in informal discussions to share experiences and collectively learn from one another.

Understanding the Unconference Format: JCrete adopts the open spaces unconference model: In essence, an unconference is shaped by its participants. Rather than relying on predefined speakers, attendees collaboratively select topics they wish to explore and collaborate on. Open Space Technology (OST) serves as a specific iteration of unconferencing, commencing with an empty schedule. It dispenses with distinctions between “speakers” and “audience,” and participants collaboratively construct the agenda, propose sessions, lead discussions, and assess outcomes. Given the communal construction of the event, the selection of participants carries significant weight, making JCrete® an invitation-only gathering.

The Unconference’s Guiding Principles: The right people are those present. The right time to begin is when it starts. The only thing that matters is what unfolds. The right place is wherever it takes place. Upon conclusion, the event naturally concludes.

Anticipation grew as Heinz Kabutz (@heinzkabutz) extended an invitation to this remarkable gathering.

Themes at JCrete Unconference: Prior to the Unconference’s commencement each day, attendees propose discussion topics, with everyone having a role as a speaker. This approach grants participants agency in determining which sessions to attend. The topics of discussion span various spheres, as evidenced in the image, reflecting contemporary interests such as code quality, Java-related matters, build tools, open-source initiatives, JVM intricacies, Functional programming, Best practices, Cloud technologies, Chat GPT & AI, and Performance considerations. While AI and ChatGPT drew considerable attention, traditional themes remained relevant, encompassing:

• Java features & Java-related themes
• Java in educational contexts
• Cloud technologies
• Tools & Developer efficiency
• Open-source endeavors
• Clean coding practices
• JVM intricacies
• Architectural discussions
• Emerging system behaviors
• Git practices
• Functional programming
• Testing methodologies
• Logging strategies
• Surprisingly, Cobol (!!!)

Unexpectedly, discussions delved into work-life balance, career-building, and leading a purposeful life, indicating a growing recognition of mental well-being, work-life balance, and challenging stereotypes surrounding productivity.

Prominent Speakers at JCrete: Distinguished figures graced the event with their insights:

• Heinz Kabutz (@heinzkabutz), a prominent Java expert, renowned for his work in Java concurrency and multithreading.
• Kirk Pepperdine (@javaperftuning), a luminary in Java performance optimization and JVM internals.
• Cliff Click (@cliff_click), a computer scientist known for contributions to JVMs and just-in-time compilation.
• Marc R. Hoffman (@marcandsweep), initiator of JaCoCo (Java Code Coverage) project.
• Martin Thompson (@mjpt777), an authority in software performance optimization.
• Simon Bordet (@simonebordet), a key contributor to the Jetty project.
• Sebastian Daschner (@DaschnerS), a Java Champion and developer advocate.

Let’s delve into some key topics explored during the Unconference.

Boosting Productivity with IntelliJ: Dr. Heinz Kabutz (@heinzkabutz), an architect of JCrete, presented an engaging talk, unveiling invaluable IntelliJ shortcuts and plugins. Notably, a participant inquired about disabling the spelling linter for variables. Discovering that no plugin aligned with their needs, Heinz reached out to an IntelliJ developer directly, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event.

Harnessing Build Tools: Ix-chel Ruiz (@ixchelruiz) led a discussion on optimizing build tools. The conversation revealed a surprising lack of awareness among developers regarding build tool capabilities, often due to reliance on instructions rather than understanding. Strikingly, this aspect often goes unexamined during job interviews, and leaders are hesitant to allocate time for training.

Java on ARM: Marc R. Hoffmann (@marcandsweep) coordinated a dialogue on Java’s performance on ARM processors. Remarkably, unusual behaviors were observed in certain versions of ARM processors, underscoring the importance of thorough testing. Docker/podman emerged as a potential solution to streamline ARM-based CI/CD pipelines.

CRaC: Coordinated Restore at Checkpoint: Ivar Grimstad (@ivar_grimstad), Jakarta EE Developer Advocate at Eclipse Foundation, introduced CRaC Project. This research initiative explores creating program snapshots during runtime, akin to freezing time. CRaC aims to optimize resource consumption, especially for cloud environments and lambda functions, where startup costs are significant. Integration with OpenLiberty and Azul JDK builds demonstrates practical benefits.

JReleaser: Streamlining Releases: Andres Almiray (@aalmiray) showcased JReleaser, an open-source project enhancing release processes. JReleaser automates packaging, publishing, building, and tagging releases. A key feature is its ability to announce releases on platforms like Twitter.

JCrete4Kids: Enriching the Community: Following the main event, a special day for kids was organized, featuring voluntary sessions by main event participants. This initiative introduces technology to young minds, bridging the gap between experienced professionals and curious children in remote areas of Greece.  One session was performed by Stella Varvarigou  and the other session by Uberto Barbini. Uberto, also, ran some sessions on functional programming in the main event.

Conclusion: JCrete Unconference proved to be a transformative experience, offering an exceptional opportunity to engage with community leaders and partake in educational discussions in a serene setting. The ethos of the event, encapsulated by the principle that all attendees are “the right people,” empowers participants, irrespective of their expertise levels, to contribute uniquely. Personal encounters over breakfast further underscored the remarkable accessibility of industry luminaries. The emphasis on collaboration and inclusivity serves as a reminder of the extraordinary magic inherent to JCrete. Until the next gathering, the inspiration and knowledge gained shall endure.