At the LJC we’re trying to democratize the future development of the Java platform. The development of Java is run through the Java Community Process – which splits up changes to the platform into Java Specification Requests (JSRs). A JSR is a specification for a set of related changes to Java, and there are a lot of them. As an organisation that is trying to bring the wider developer community into the standards process in order to inform the decsion making process, improve the standard and innovate the platform we’re promoting the ‘Adopt a JSR’ program.

The idea behind Adopt a JSR is that you, a Java ecosystem enthusiast, can contribute to a JSR by following its progress, helping out on an expert group or informing the wider community of its progress and evangelising its benefits. You can take your industrial expertise and help progress Java in a direction that benefits you and the wider community. The LJC are a voting member on the JCP and can help facilitate any ideas or suggestions that you may have on the matter, so if you want to know more about how to get involved, please contact the LJC’s JCP Committee.

At present there are several JSRs that we’re seeking participation for.

  • Date and Time (JSR 310)  – the upcoming improvements to the Date and Time Api are requiring a TCK. James Gough (@goughjam) is helping coordinate the LJC’s effots here.
  • Java Message Service 2.0 (JSR 343) – the next version of the important JMS standard is currently being developed. The LJC is in contact with Tim Fox and Colin Crist, who are working on this project.
  • Bean Validation 1.1 (JSR 349) – a new maintenance release for Bean Validation. Do you use Bean Validation and want to help improve it?
  • Session State Management (JSR 350) – introduces an API that will offer a modular system for dealing with State management, generalising some of the ideas from the HttpSession State object. Somay Nakhal is interested in helping out with this proposal.

Of course if you want to work on something else, or even propose a new JSR yourself, then don’t hesistate to contact us. We’ll also be documeting our progress on our wiki.

Perhaps you’re tired of some problem within Java that you’re always encountering. Perhaps you’re trying to give back to a community that has helped you grow as a developer. Perhaps you just want to contribute in a meaningful way to an important and influential platform. Whatever your motives, its time to contribute because Java needs you.