Slow Java startups, repeated JIT compilations, high CPU load: these factors are not just performance issues — they also drive up infrastructure costs and increase the energy consumption of applications. At JCON EUROPE 2025, developers will have a rare opportunity: Mark Stoodley, Chief Architect for Java at IBM, travels from Canada to personally lead an exclusive workshop. The title: “Ultra Efficient Startup for Production Java Workloads” — a hands-on format demonstrating how to run JVM-based production applications more efficiently, faster, and with lower resource consumption.
Techniques That Make the Difference
The workshop focuses on concrete methods to improve Java application performance right from startup:
- Class Sharing to load commonly used classes faster
- JIT Code Caching to avoid unnecessary repeated compilations
- Checkpoint/Restore to restore defined system states instantly
- Remote JIT Compilation, where code is centrally prepared and optimized
- Practical approaches to reduce Java startup and warm-up times
- Strategies to lower infrastructure and energy costs without sacrificing speed
- Decision guidance on when using native applications makes sense — and when JVM technologies are the better choice
- Tools and techniques to tune JVMs like a pro
Using a real Quarkus application, the workshop will demonstrate how these technologies compare to native images — not only in terms of initial response time but also regarding memory consumption and peak performance under load. Participants will gain direct access to practical knowledge that goes far beyond standard documentation — insights that, until now, were available only to a few insiders.
JVM Optimization Directly from IBM’s Chief Architect
Mark Stoodley brings over two decades of experience with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). He played a key role in transforming IBM’s J9 JVM into the open-source projects OpenJ9 and OMR — technologies that today power thousands of enterprise applications worldwide. As IBM’s Chief Architect for Java, he leads a global team that develops, innovates, and maintains the IBM Semeru Runtime (JDK) — the foundation behind countless Java products and cloud services.
Importance of Java Projects
For development teams, this is about more than just shaving off milliseconds: shorter startup and warm-up times mean fewer required server resources, lower energy costs, and ultimately a better CO₂ balance. At the same time, companies gain flexibility by deciding which combination of technologies offers the best trade-offs for their specific production environments. Participants will leave this workshop with measurable advantages they can apply directly to their projects.
Registration and Participation
The number of participants for “Ultra Efficient Startup for Production Java Workloads” is limited. Early registration is recommended.
Early registration is recommended. Registration is available here.
