JSR

JSR stands for Java Specification Request, a formal document used in the Java Community Process to propose changes or additions to the Java platform, including Java SE and related technologies. A JSR describes the problem to be addressed, the proposed solution, the scope and goals, and the anticipated impact. It typically includes a detailed specification, API designs, and rationale for the change.

The JSR process begins when an individual or organization submits a proposal, which is assigned a unique number. An Expert Group drafts the specification and, where appropriate, a Reference Implementation and a Technology Compatibility Kit. The proposal advances through staged reviews, including public review, and, if approved, a final release. Implementations that aim to conform to the specification must pass the TCK and be certified as compatible with the JSR. The lifecycle is designed to promote interoperability and verifiability across vendors.

Scope and governance: JSRs are the mechanism by which changes to the Java platform are standardized. They can cover API additions, behavioral changes, or modular or platform-level specifications across Java SE, Java EE/Jakarta EE, and related technologies. The Java Community Process is a standards organization that includes Oracle and other participating organizations and individuals, with governance intended to balance innovation, backward compatibility, and portability.

Impact: JSRs provide a formal pathway for community input into the evolution of the Java platform, enabling broad feedback and standardized implementations. They help ensure that new features are well specified and that compliant implementations remain interoperable across environments.