Helidon 4: Leveraging Virtual Threads for Fast, Robust Java Microservices
Explore how Helidon 4, the first microservices framework designed for virtual threads, delivers fast and robust Java applications. Discover its benefits, key lessons learned, and future outlook.
In 2022, the Helidon team made a strategic decision to fully re-implement their Netty-based Helidon Web Server using virtual threads. This initiative culminated in Helidon 4, establishing it as the first microservices framework engineered from the ground up to leverage virtual threads. The team is extremely pleased with the outcomes and the valuable insights gained throughout the development process. This article explores the numerous benefits of virtual threads, shares key lessons learned, offers practical tips and tricks, and provides a glimpse into future developments in Java 24 and beyond.