Concurrent Programming in Java with Virtual Threads from Pluralsight

Reactive programming improves the throughput of microservices. This course explains how virtual threads and structured concurrency improve the reactive programming model, by writing simpler code that is easier to maintain and debug.

Designing a reactive system is complex and leads to code that is hard to test, hard to debug, and expensive to maintain. Virtual threads have been added to the Java platform to overcome these problems, and make it so that your simple imperative and blocking code is the right solution to design reactive systems. In this course, Concurrent Programming in Java with Virtual Threads, you will learn how virtual threads and structured concurrency can improve the reactive programming model. First, you will explore the patterns you can use to run your application on virtual threads. Then, you will learn how virtual threads are working under the hood, so that you can make informed decisions on where to use them in your application. Finally, you will see several applications use cases, built on virtual threads through the use of structured concurrency, to put everything in practice. When you are finished with this course, you will be fully equipped to improve your applications with virtual threads and structured concurrency, something you will need to improve the maintainability of your reactive and asynchronous code.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Improving Reactive Programming with Virtual Threads

Introducing Virtual Threads

Using Virtual Threads to Increase Your Throughput

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops virtual threads and structured concurrency, both of which are increasingly used in reactive programming to create and maintain more efficient microservices

Examines how virtual threads and structured concurrency can be leveraged to build more maintainable and debuggable reactive systems

Taught by Jose Paumard, a recognized expert in reactive programming and virtual threads

Suitable as a standalone course, or as part of a curriculum to gain in-depth knowledge in reactive programming

Requires learners to come in with a foundational understanding of Java, and experience working with microservices

Assumes learners have experience with reactive programming and concurrency, although a basic introduction is provided

Reviews summary

Essential guide to java virtual threads

According to students, this course is an excellent resource for experienced Java developers looking to master concurrent programming with virtual threads and structured concurrency. Learners highlight the instructor's ability to explain complex concepts with remarkable clarity and the timely and highly relevant content. The hands-on demos and practical examples are frequently praised for solidifying understanding, effectively demystifying the shift from traditional threads. While generally well-structured and concise, some intermediate developers found the pace challenging, suggesting it assumes significant prior advanced concurrency knowledge. It's considered essential for writing more efficient and maintainable concurrent Java code.

Covers specific advanced topics like ScopedValues well.

"I found the sections on ScopedValues and how they replace ThreadLocals particularly insightful."

Helps simplify complex reactive and concurrent programming.

"This course brilliantly shows how virtual threads simplify things."

"The way virtual threads are explained makes them seem so much less daunting."

"It felt like the right level of depth for experienced Java developers. The shift from traditional threads was demystified."

Hands-on demos and practical examples are highly valuable.

"I especially appreciated the hands-on demos which really helped solidify my understanding."

"The practical examples were spot on. Covered everything I needed to know about using virtual threads and structured concurrency efficiently."

"Good demos though."

Content is up-to-date and highly relevant to modern Java development.

"The content on virtual threads is timely and incredibly relevant for modern Java development."

"A very useful course. The content is up-to-date and directly applicable."

"This is a must-take for any professional looking to optimize their concurrent Java applications."

Complex topics are explained with remarkable clarity.

"The instructor explains complex concepts like virtual threads and structured concurrency with remarkable clarity."

"The explanations are concise and well-structured. I particularly liked how the course demystified the 'under the hood' workings."

"The way virtual threads are explained makes them seem so much less daunting. I loved the balance of theory and practical implementation."

Some areas could benefit from more real-world or advanced scenarios.

"I felt some of the later examples, especially around structured concurrency, could have used a bit more real-world context or more complex scenarios."

"A bit more depth on performance tuning or potential pitfalls with very high concurrency might have been beneficial."

Requires prior advanced concurrency knowledge; pace can be fast.

"I found the pace a bit fast in places, and some explanations felt a little rushed, especially if you're not already deeply familiar with advanced concurrency."

"It assumes a lot of prior knowledge of advanced Java concurrency and reactive patterns. As an intermediate developer, I struggled."

"It's probably great if you're already an expert, but for intermediate developers, it might be a bit challenging without additional resources."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Concurrent Programming in Java with Virtual Threads with these activities:

Read Java Concurrency in Practice by Brian Goetz

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Enhance your understanding of concurrency concepts and best practices in Java.

View Java Concurrency in Practice on Amazon

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Purchase and read the book.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Apply what you learned to your own projects.

Follow tutorials on virtual threads and structured concurrency

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Expand your knowledge and skills by following guided tutorials.

Browse courses on Virtual Threads

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Search for and identify relevant tutorials.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
Implement what you learned in your own projects.

Perform virtual thread warm-up exercises

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Reinforce your understanding of virtual threads and structured concurrency by working through practice drills.

Browse courses on Virtual Threads

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Solve coding problems using virtual threads.
Implement virtual threads in a small project.

Five other activities

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Attend a workshop on virtual threads and structured concurrency

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Engage with experts and learn about best practices for using virtual threads.

Browse courses on Virtual Threads

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Research and find a relevant workshop.
Register and attend the workshop.
Apply what you learned in your own projects.

Participate in a peer coding session on virtual threads

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Collaborate with peers and exchange knowledge on virtual threads.

Browse courses on Virtual Threads

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Find a peer or group of peers who are interested in learning about virtual threads.
Schedule a regular meeting time.
Take turns presenting on different topics related to virtual threads.

Build a reactive microservice using virtual threads

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Apply your knowledge of virtual threads and structured concurrency to build a practical application.

Browse courses on Microservices

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Design the architecture of your microservice.
Implement the microservice using Java and virtual threads.
Test and deploy your microservice.

Create a blog post or tutorial on virtual threads

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Share your knowledge and understanding of virtual threads by creating educational content.

Browse courses on Virtual Threads

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Research and gather information on virtual threads.
Write and edit your blog post or tutorial.
Publish your content and promote it.

Mentor a junior developer in using virtual threads

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Consolidate your knowledge by guiding a junior developer in using virtual threads.

Browse courses on Virtual Threads

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Find a junior developer who is interested in learning about virtual threads.
Schedule regular meetings to provide guidance and support.
Assign tasks and projects that allow the mentee to practice using virtual threads.

Career center

Learners who complete Concurrent Programming in Java with Virtual Threads will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Java Developer

Java Developers are responsible for developing Java applications. This course can help Java Developers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building responsive and scalable applications. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive applications. Also, this course is specifically offered on the Java programming language, which is highly relevant for Java Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Java Developer

Full-Stack Developer

Full Stack Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining both the front-end and back-end of web applications. This course can help Full Stack Developers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building responsive and scalable web applications. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive web applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Full-Stack Developer

Software Architect

Software Architects are responsible for designing and managing software systems. This course can help Software Architects improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable software systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive software systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course can help Software Engineers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building responsive and scalable applications. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Engineer

Data Engineers are responsible for designing and managing data pipelines. This course can help Data Engineers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable data pipelines. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive data pipelines.

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Network Engineer

Network Engineers are responsible for designing and managing computer networks. This course can help Network Engineers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable networks. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Security Engineer

Security Engineers are responsible for designing and managing security systems. This course can help Security Engineers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable security systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive security systems.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for designing and managing databases. This course can help Database Administrators improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable databases. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive databases.

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Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers are responsible for designing and managing complex systems. This course can help Systems Engineers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. This course can help Web Developers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building responsive and scalable web applications. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive web applications.

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DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers are responsible for bridging the gap between development and operations teams. This course can help DevOps Engineers improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive systems.

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Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects are responsible for designing and managing cloud-based systems. This course can help Cloud Architects improve their ability to write reactive code, which can be essential for building and maintaining responsive and scalable cloud-based systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive cloud-based systems.

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Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing and evaluating software and systems. This course may help Quality Assurance Analysts improve their ability to test and evaluate reactive systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for writing documentation for software and systems. This course may help Technical Writers improve their ability to write documentation for reactive systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive systems.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may help Project Managers improve their ability to manage projects that involve reactive systems. The course covers topics such as virtual threads, structured concurrency, and ScopedValues, which can all be used to improve the performance of reactive systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager